Rocky Boy's Olson running for gold

Rocky Boy's Kyle Olson has a chance to do something truly special at the Class B state track and field meet this weekend in Bozeman.

Rocky Boy's Kyle Olson isn't just one of the top distance runners in Class B, he's one of the best in all of Montana.

Olson has emerged as one of the top distance runners in the state over the last several months. He has already turned in a spectacular regular season, as well as a stellar showing at the Northern B divisional meet. But like every prep athlete in his position, this weekends' state meet is the ultimate goal. And Olson has a very good chance at not only placing, but winning the 800 meters, 1,600 meters and 3,200 meters.

Olson will run the 1,600 on Friday at 1:40 p.m., as well as run the 400 on Friday at 3:30 p.m. He will run his third event, the 800, on Saturday at 12:05 p.m. in Bozeman.

And if Olson continues to run as well as he has all season, and at the Northern B last weekend, he has a shot at winning all three.

At divisionals, Olson was the No. 1 1,600 and 3,200-meter runner. He finished the 1,600 in 4:38.61, and the 3,200 in 9:36.94. But he also ran the 800 in 2:03.58, good enough for a second place finish. But Olson has consistently turned in good times all year long, and has for the most part, dominated the competition week in and week out.

In the 800, Olson has been the No. 2 runner in all of Class B all year long. Kenny Wilbur of Broadwater also runs in the low two-minute range, and has turned in times as fast as 2:02, still in Olson's range for an upset. Olson is also second to Paden Alexander of Ronan in the 1,600. Alexander runs in the 4:30 range, but the verdict could be the same. If Olson puts out his best effort in the season's final weekend, he too could capture a title in the 1,600-meter.

However, Olson is second to none in the 3,200. Olson has consistently ran in the mid nine minute and 30 second range, and that has put him at the top of the Class B ranks. If Olson runs well in the 3,200-meter he could cruise to an easy individual state title. His biggest source of competition should come from Alexander and Bigfork's Logan Morley. Both Alexander and Morley have turned in times in the high nine, or low 10 minutes, but even if they run their best race of the year, it will take a lot to knock Olson off of the two-mile podium.

Olson has been pleasant surprise for the Stars, and has the opportunity to garner even more attention to the track and field program in Rocky Boy. And representing an entire program by himself at the state level, one, two, or even three individual state titles would be a great accomplishment.

The Class B state track meet will run Friday and Saturday in Bozeman.