Plains and Thompson Falls compete at Seeley-Swan

The Florence Falcons and Superior Lady Bobcats took the team trophies at Friday’s Seeley-Swan Invitational track meet.

Both teams had to overcome some stiff competition and uncooperative weather during their top-notch performances as sporadic snow showers and wind provided an obstacle for the athletes participating at the meet, held at Missoula County Stadium.

Florence’s boys racked up 125 points to best Thompson Falls (89), Deer Lodge (85.5), Plains (75) and the 10 other teams in attendance.

“Cold, windy, wet weather just aren’t very conducive to top performances,” Plains track coach Tony Banovich said. “Given what the kids have done so far this year , I’m very excited to see what they can do when they aren’t spending their energy trying to stay warm and dry.”

The Blue Hawks won four boys’ events, on their way to a second place finish. Dominique Holt took the high jump by clearing 6’ 0” in one fewer attempt than teammate Preston Schubert. Holt also finished third in the 110- meter hurdles, fifth in the 200 meters and tied for sixth in the pole vault.

Schubert took the 110 hurdles, placed second in the 300 hurdles and the high jump and fourth in the triple jump. Collin Lester won the 100-meter dash and placed fourth in the 400. Cody Phillips won the javelin and tied for fourth in the pole vault while Logan Naegeli placed third in the two-mile for Thompson Falls.

Despite missing several athletes for family reasons and illness, the Horsmen managed to put together some impressive individual performances.

Taylor Firestone of Plains joined Brandon Forson of Deer Lodge as the only two boys to win multiple events. Firestone claimed both the long and triple jumps, finished third in the high jump and third in the 200-meters, giving him 32 points on the day.

“Taylor is proving himself to be one of the best, most consistent horizontal jumpers in the state this year - in all classes,” Banovich said.  “I’m very excited to see how he performs as we get later into the year and the critical meets like Divisionals and State.  I have a feeling that his competitive fire will push him to some even better marks.”

Carter Montgomery won the two-mile for the Horsemen, edging teammate Kenneth Beech who placed second as well as third in the mile. Montgomery’s time, 10:10.58 was his personal best.

Robert Earhart finished second in the 800-meters and third in the 400 for Plains.

Superior’s girls boasted 105 points. They Edged second place Seeley-Swan, 100, and cruised past the fourth place Lady Hawks, 71.5, and eighth place Trotters, 42.

Hope Reid led the way for Thompson Falls, winning five events on the day. She won the 200-meters, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, high jump and pole vault. Teammates Mariah Naegeli and Angela Padden also earned points for the Blue Hawks. Naegeli placed second in the mile and third in the two mile as Padden finished fourth in the 300 hurdles and tied for sixth in the pole vault.

Diamond LaDeaux claimed the lone event for the Trotters as she took the two-mile. LaDeaux’s time of 12:51.7 was her best this season.

Nicole Rehbein added a pair of second place finishes in the 100 and 200-meter sprints. Franky Winebrenner finished second in the discus and Nikki Kunzer third. Winebrenner’s toss of 114’3” was her new personal best.

On Tuesday, the Western Montana Top Ten meet was held in Missoula, the results, however, were not available at press time.

Firestone qualified in the long and triple jumps, Montgomery in the mile and two-mile and WInebrenner in the discus.

On Saturday, the team will compete in the Whitefish Invitational meet.