Sanders County track teams compete at Ronan
After only one meet, the Plains High School track and field team has put up some impressive numbers. Ben Gorham had his longest toss ever in the shot put with a throw of 45 feet, four inches. Gorham accomplished the feat under less than desirable conditions, throwing in a downpour at the meet in Ronan.
For the girl’s team, Haley Phillips set a meet record in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 47.10 seconds. She also won the long jump event with a leap of 16 feet, 1 inch.
Track Coach Denise Montgomery said, “We did really well in Ronan. Our returning kids did very well and we are expecting a great season.”
“This next week we need to figure out what events the kids will be best at. It might take a few meets to figure that out but they are getting stronger and faster. We just need to stay healthy.”
The PHS track teams’ next meet is on April 6 and is in Eureka or Hamilton. The location is to be determined.
The Noxon Red Devils also took to the field at the Ronan Invitational and started the season on the right foot.
According to Head Coach Matt Havens the kids performed well.
“The kids did great. The seniors performed really well as expected,” said Coach Havens. “The younger athletes performed well too. They all learned a lot about track meets and bout themselves as athletes.”
Freshman Brady Wilson had a good performance running a 5:07 mile and placed fifth. The senior relay team who ran the 4 X 100 placed third with a time of 46.34.
This week the Noxon athletes are on spring break and Coach Havens stated they will be working on staying in shape.
“We will be working on individual techniques for each athlete in their different events. Noxon will compete at the track meet in Kellogg, Idaho on April 13.
The Bluehawk track and field team also saw success at the Ronan Invitational coming out with numerous first place wins.
“Most of our kids did pretty well,” said Head Coach Randy Symon. “A lot of our younger kids, it was their first meet so they got to find out where they’re at.”
Hope Reid wone first place on the three events she partipiated in - the 100 hurdles, the high jump and the pole vault.
Preston Schubert also placed first in the 110 hurdles and the 300 hurdles. Schubert also took second in pole vault, third in triple jump and placed fourth in the high jump.
Because of the large number of athletes on the team, 58 in all, the Bluehawks took 22 kids to the invitational in Ronan.
The Bluehawks will head to Missoula on Friday to compete at the Jim Johnson meet and will be taking 40 of the athletes.
“It’s usually a pretty good meet,” said Coach Symon. “We should have a chance to test ourselves again.”