Trotters return victorious

BUTTE – For the second year in a row, the Trotters track and field team returned to Plains as State Champions.

The Trotters controlled the competition to ensure another State B Meet title, to follow up on their championship last season. 

The state meet was held at Bulldog Memorial Stadium in Butte on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31. 

The Plains girls ran away from the competition over the weekend finishing with 83 team points, well clear of the runner up. The second place finishers, Bigfork, ended the meet with 58.5 team points. 

“I am super happy for the girls. Their hard work and dedication paid off,” Plains Head Coach Denise Montgomery said.

The Trotters seized control of the final meet of the year early, leading after the first day of the competition.

After day one’s events had concluded, Plains had 26 team points, slightly ahead of Manhattan with 20 points. 

Hailey Phillips and Leah Thompson ensured the Trotters got out of the gates clean. 

Each athlete took first place in an event on day one. 

Phillips took honors in the 400-meter dash, crossing the finish line first with a time of 57.79.

Thompson finished on top of the podium in the discus throw. Thompson won the event with a final throw of 126-02. 

Kayla Holmes took third in the discus event, placing with a throw of 123-11. 

Holmes and Phillips performances were individual milestones, as both athletes achieved personal records in their respected events. 

Thompson kept up her momentum from day one, taking second in the shot put throw on day two of the meet. Thompson’s performance of 39-07 landed her on the podium in second place. 

Phillips also continued to perform well on the second day of the state meet, winning multiple events. 

She placed first in both the 300-meter hurdles and 200-meter dash. 

Phillips won the 200-meters with a time of 25.84 and the hurdles with an end time of 43.87. 

She also added to her impressive day with a second place finish in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking in at 15.19. 

Nicole Rehbein also had a big day for the Trotters, helping the team secure its second straight championship with a second place finish in the 100-meter sprint and a sixth place finish in the 200-meter dash. 

In the 100, Rehbein crossed the finish line with a 12.68 and in the 200 she finished with a 26.62.

In the team events, Plains took home fourth place in the 1,600-meter relay, clocking in at 4:19.55.

The relay finish would prove critical for the team as their placement ensured the Trotters broke the record for most points ever scored at a Class B meet.

The team of Rehbein, Corle Morefield, Demi Horton and Shannon Dimond worked hard throughout the season, and their practice showed through in their top finish. 

In the javelin throw, Kimberly Earhart finished in second place, ending the competition with a throw of 129-11. 

From top to bottom the Trotters have had strong performances throughout their season with runners, throwers and jumpers consistently putting up strong performances. 

The boys of the Plains team did not place at state, but they still had a successful season.

“One meet doesn’t define anyone’s season, the boys should be very proud of their year,” Montgomery said.  

The entire Plains team can enjoy their offseason after an impressive run during their end of the year meets. Both teams gave it their all throughout the season.

Montgomery was quick to note how proud she was of the team’s accomplishments throughout the season.

“This group of kids have made history. The girls have been state champions two years in a row. They should hold their heads high,” Montgomery said.