HHS track teams geared up for Central A

The season has been long, and another growing experience for the Havre High track and field team this year, but with the post season here, all the hard work will hopefully pay off.

After two weeks off, the Central A Blue Pony boys and girls will compete at the Central A divisional tournament in Livingston. The tournament runs today and Saturday, beginning at this afternoon at 4 p.m. Saturday action will resume at 10 a.m.

Havre High junior Peyton Filius runs the 4x400 relay at a recent triangular meet at the Havre Middle School Track. The Blue Pony boys and girls track teams will put their season on the line Friday-Saturday when they travel to Livingston for the Central A Divisional Meet.

Like every team, the Ponies have had their share of ups and downs this season. They have a lot of talented athletes, but depth is certainly not a strength for either r the girls or boys programs. Depth gives programs like Belgrade an advantage this weekend, the Panthers have to be considered a favorite to earn a couple of team titles. The Livingston Rangers and Lewistown Golden Eagles will also push the Panthers for team titles, while the Browning Indians also lack depth.

It will be very difficult for the Ponies to shine in the team standings this season, but with the talent they do house, HHS should be able to qualify a lot of solid athletes into the state meet.

"I know we would like to make a push in the team standings," head coach Trevor VanCampen said. "But Belgrade has to be a favorite just by their numbers I think. Lewistown has a lot of good talent; they always do, especially on their girls team. And Livingston, they have really turned their program around over the last two years, and they have two decent teams this year."

But if the HHS athletes can continue to perform, as well as continue to improve throughout the weekend, they could impress a lot of people heading into the state meet next weekend.

For the HHS girls, Martha Stocker has been a huge addition this year. She is currently the No. 1 shot put thrower in the Central A with a distance of 36-5, and adds to a solid mix of girls. Lacey Waid is also the No. 1 pole vaulter, clearing 10-0. Katie Christianson is also the No. 1 runner in the 3,200-meter, while she is also the No. 2 runner in the 1,600-meter. Peyton FIlius is also the No. 2 runner in the 800-meter, while Megan Erickson is close behind as the No. 3 runner in the 800-meter.

But other athletes have to step. Skylar Vukasin has shined in the sprints and high jump, while Neya Bischoff has also had her share of top moments in the throws. And if athletes like Rachel David (middle distance), Carlene Rennick (hurdles/throws), Lexi Olson (jumps), Jenn Nordgulen (jumps), Alicia Borst (jumps/middle distance), Haley Ohm (distance), and Carissa White (sprints) can continue to step and produce, the HHS girls could get a solid group of top placers this weekend.

In the boys' field, Thurman Holdsclaw is the No. 1 pole vaulter in the Central A, clearing 13-0 two different times this year. The Ponies could sweep the pole vault top spots for the second straight year, as Thomas Gruber has cleared 12-6 and Zach Plum has cleared 12-0. Nate Rismon and Gunnar Aageson will also add to that pole vaulting depth.

Marc Klimas has also been a consistent leader and enters the weekend as the third best runner in the 3,200. Holdsclaw is also the No. 2 triple jumper, while freshman Charlie Christianson is the No. 2 high jumper, clearing 6-0 this season.

But the HHS boys are in the same boat as the HHS girls. They need plenty of other talent to step up, and will benefit from earning points from all over the weekend's lineup.

Jon Faber has come on in the jumps and sprints, as has Brock Ross in the distance races. Points will be at a premium, so Dakota Christianson (middle distance/jumps), Luke Karnauskas (middle distance/jumps), Ryne Antley (throws), Garrett Dolezal (throws) and Kade Rismon (throws) will also be heavily leaned upon.

"Our practices have been great this week," VanCampen said. "And geared for the kids to begin peaking this weekend and for state. We feel pretty good about our workouts, and it has been beneficial for us not having a meet last week. We have had two weeks to gear up, and ready for this final stretch of the season."

Friday and Saturday the Ponies will compete in Livingston at the Central A divisional track meet. The top six placers in each event at the Central A Meet will advance to next weekend's Class A state meet in Laurel.