Blue Pony track teams visit Belgrade Meet

After a cancelation to the last scheduled track meet, the Havre High track teams will get back to competition this weekend if the good weather holds out.

Saturday the Central A Blue Ponies will compete in the Gallatin Valley Invitational in Belgrade. The Ponies are coming off of a strong performance at the Havre Lions Invite, and are hoping the success carries over after missing out on a dual meet in Great Falls on Tuesday due to the poor weather.

A year ago, the HHS boys finished in fifth place in Belgrade, while the HHS girls finished in sixth.

And facing an extremely tough field of teams, the Ponies will look to maintain their stay near the top, as they face teams like Manhattan, Billings Central, Dillon, Livingston, Belgrade, Anaconda, Gardiner, Lewistown, Three Forks, Ennis, Sheridan, Harrison and Butte Central. The annual Belgrade meet always tests the Pony squads, but it also allows them to get a good look at conference teams, and shows the Ponies just where they sit in the Central A.

Livingston and Belgrade typically find themselves at the top of the conference, but Lewistown will also be tough to beat.

In boys action, the ponies will get points from the usual suspects. That includes Thurman Holdscalw, Thomas Gruber, Matt Emge, Gunnar Aageson, Zach Plum in the pole vault, as well as Holdsclaw in the triple jump and Charlie Christianson in the high jump. Holdsclaw has won all but one pole vault competition this season and has made the Elite Track and Field list this season by clearing 13-0.

Marc Klimas will also be continued to be leaned on for points in the distance races, while Kade Rismon and Ryne Antley should look to keep improving in the throwing events.

On the girls side of things, the Ponies have also relied on some steady producers, but have also gotten increased production from a lot of young and new names.

Megan Erickson continues to step up in the relays, as well as the 800-meter, while Carlene Rennick and Martha Stocker are gradually climbing the ranks in the throwing events. Hayley Ohm is also steadily improving in the distance races, while the Ponies continue to earn team points from top performers like Peyton Filius (middle distance/relays), Lacey Waid (pole vault), Corissa White (sprints), Skylar Vukasin (jumps), Neya Bischoff (throws) and Jen Nordgulen (sprints/jumps).

The HHS girls have seen a big jump in production, as they have seen a multitude of athletes step up and show they are willing to compete in more and new events. And with limited numbers this season, some of the HHS boys know this would give them a boost as well.

"In the last few weeks we have actually been adding more kids to more events," Havre High's Aageson said. "And I think it is showing a lot. It keeps us warm throughout the day, it gives the team more support, and it is just a lot more fun when more people are competing throughout the day.

"Right now we are still missing in some events," Aageson added. "Like the boys hurdles and girls hurdles. But if we can continue to fill those spots, we are going to get better. And we haven't peaked yet as a team, and we don't want to until divisionals."

The Ponies will compete in Belgrade on Saturday at the Gallatin Valley Invite.