St. Regis excels during district meet

ST. REGIS - The St. Regis girls and boys track team was in Polson May 15 to compete in divisionals. 

The usual suspects, Gabby Moeller, Arianna Jones and Jasmine Jones were on fire placing in top honors for multiple events.

Moeller won the high jump reaching a height of 1.47 meters. Moeller also won the shot put, receiving 10 points and a distance of 32 1/2. In javelin, she finished in second place with 107. However, Arianna did take first place with 130-5.

“Arianna had the best distance in the district in javelin and set a new school record,” said St. Regis Head Coach Maury Johnston.

Jasmine also placed in eighth completing a high distance of 79-6. 

“Team wise the girls tied for third with Superior,” Johnston said. “That wasn’t too bad since we only have three girls.”

The boys didn’t have as many competitors place high as both Trevor and Gibson Lowry were on hand to take most of the honors.

Trevor finished fourth in high jump with a height of 1.63 meters. 

Gibson competed in shot put and javelin finishing in eighth for both events. He threw a 33-1/2 in shot put and had a distance of 112-6 in javelin. 

The weather at this week’s meet was near flawless as temperatures reached the high 70s, with abundant sun. This has been a noticeable difference for the competitors who have competed in temperatures at or below the 50 degree mark for the past two meets.

Many teams in the conference are making one last minute push to the finish line while securing top honors for their respective school. 

While the graduating class will do their best to ride off into the sunset, incoming freshmen will come in, trying to pick up on the successes of their predecessors. Although it can take all four years before students reach that level, some will defy the odds beforehand proving that freshmen are just as competitive. 

Having shoes to fill puts pressure on each athlete to accomplish new feats and personal bests statistically, and for the team.

On the other hand, strength and conditioning is a big part of preparation. Even before a new season starts in the spring of 2015, competitors will train behind the scenes during the school year to prepare.

The coach will give tips, as always, trying to carve out the best team while hoping that each athlete takes the advice to heart. Those who stick to the coach’s plan while following their own may not only feel a sense of accomplishment, but may be among the top competitors not only within the team, but among other schools in the conference. 

St. Regis will head back to Missoula on May 23 to compete in divisionals. 

“I would expect Arianna to do well and win the divisional,” Johnston said. “She has been really throwing well and gets better each week.”