Plains Girls Win District Team Championship
Plains girls pose with their championship trophy
The Plains High School boys and girls track teams competed in the District 7B Championships on Saturday in Bigfork.
The girls’ team winning the overall team competition highlighted the weekend. The championship is the first by any Plains track and field team since 2004.
“Wow what a day,” said head coach Tony Banovich.
Hailey Phillips was the individual star winning the long jump, 200-meter, and 300-meter hurdles, and for good measure added a second place finish in the 100-meter. Nicole Rehbein edged out Phillips to win the 100-meter dash; while also collecting to second place finishes is the 200 and 400 meters. Ashley Holmes set a personal best while taking home first place in the 100-meter hurdles; she also set personal bests in three other events.
Plains also dominated the girl’s relays, Kayla Holmes, Rehbein, Kelsey Beagley, and Phillips won the 4 x 100, while Sakoya LaDeaux, Felicia Earhart, Beagley, and Rehbein took home first place in the 4 x 400.
“I’m so proud of what this group of girls was able to accomplish. I’m just so happy for them to be able to bring home the first District Track Championship plaque in eight years. They’ve been working so hard all season and this title was well deserved,” said Banovich.
The boys held their own this past weekend as well. Carter Montgomery was able to take home first place in the 1600 and 3200 meters. Ben Gorham finished third in the discus and shot put, Russel Kujala and David Damschen also qualified for the Western Divisional Championships in the 3200-meter.
Robert Earhart qualified for the divisional meet in the javelin and the 4 x 400 relay, joining him on that team are Kris Beech, Kujala, and Damschen.
“ I was also excited for senior boy David Damschen, who qualified for his first ever individual event at the divisional championships. But I was equally disappointed for Wyatt Winebrenner who placed seventh in both the discus and javelin. Missing out on qualifying for the divisional meet in the discus by a mere two inches,” said Banovich.
The previously mentioned Western Divisional Championships will take place Friday and Saturday this week in Corvallis. Sixteen members of the Plains track and field team have qualified: 10 girls and six boys.
“They aren’t satisfied yet. Before getting on the bus, their minds were already looking ahead to the divisional championships. It should be a great meet with some close competition between us, Bigfork, Ronan-St. Ignatius, Florence and Loyola Sacred Heart. If the girls compete up to their capabilities, they should be right in the hunt for the title,” said Banovich.