Talented Hot Springs track team built on hard work

Heading into the 2025 class C track and field season, there is reason to be optimistic on the track and fields of Hot Springs.

A talented, experienced and determined core of athletes are back this year with dreams of the state championships in their minds. 

Leading the way this year is senior multiple sport standout David Chapman, who has earned all-star honors this year for football and wrestling. Chapman was the leading point getter for the Savage Heat at the 2024 Class C state finals meet, finishing in the top ten in the 110-meter hurdles (fourth) and the 300-meter hurdles last May in Great Falls. 

Junior Kara Christensen was also a state placer, coming in 23rd in the javelin throw for the Lady Heat. 

Senior Nick McAllister, who was widely considered a multiple state finalist before a leg injury during football curtailed his running and jumping abilities, is back this season where he will participate in both hurdle events, the 100- and 200-meter sprints, both relays and the high jump. 

McAllister was expected to battle Noxon’s Ricky Williams in the high jump before his injury, while Williams placed fourth in the event. 

Christensen, another multiple all-star honoree this year for the Lady Heat, will participate in both hurdle events, the 100 and 200-meter sprints, the javelin and discus. 

Georgia Uski, a solid thrower for the Lady Heat, is expected to be in the mix for a state qualifying berth in the shot put and discus events. 

Joining Chapman and McAllister as potential state qualifiers is sophomore Ben Aldridge, who is also a candidate for state in both hurdles, both sprints (100 and 200) and both relays. 

Head coach Andrew Leichtnam, a fitness advocate and ultra long-distance runner as well as the assistant football coach at the school, said the core of returnees have great potential for good things. 

“Our overall team strength will most definitely be in the hurdle races,” Leichtnam said. “David, Kara, Ben, Nick, Lanet Jakabosky and Chase Depoe are fantastic hurdlers.  All six of these athletes have a chance at state qualifying.”

Leichtnam is also optimistic about the large group of throwers who turned out this year and plans to spend significant practice time bringing the mostly new group of tracksters up to speed. 

“We’re building a strong culture that emphasizes work ethic among our athletes,” Leichtnam said. “We want our group to understand that daily focus and dedication to the process will foster success in the postseason.”

Hot Springs is scheduled to open their season this Saturday (Mar 29) at the Frenchtown Invitational. They head north the following weekend to take part in the Bigfork Invitational. 

    Hot Springs junior Kara Christensen works on form during discus practice this past week in Hot Springs. (Photo by Mindy Leichtnam)