Medals, trip to state on the line for local tracksters

The surrounding area is packed with boys and girls Class C track and field talent, and it will all be on display Thursday at the annual Northern C Divisional track meet.

Coming out of the 9C and 10C, the Hi-Line will be well represented in Great Falls. The Chester/J-I Hawks have several standouts in the 10C ranks, as does North Star, Chinook, Box Elder, Turner, Big Sandy and Hays-Lodge Pole in the 9C ranks. But the Hi-Line isn’t just well represented with numbers, several area athletes are considered strong favorites in their respective events as local teams look to continue to build off of last year’s final team finishes.

A year ago the Chinook Sugarbeeters finished in second place in the boys standings for the best local finish. The North Star Knights finished in seventh place. But in girl’s action the Knights finished in second place, just a year removed from their state championship. The Beeters also finished in third place overall; while the C/J-I Hawks finished in fourth place overall.

Belt swept the team titles last year and could be a strong contender again this season. The Hawks have a solid core of athletes who could push for top finishes, and a trip to the state meet. Top individual boys include Steven May in the 1,600 and 3,200, as well as Justin May in the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, long jump, triple jump and javelin. Kylee Vinson will also be competitive on the girls side of things, but should get their best production from Allix Goldhahn in the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, and triple jump.

North Star has the best chance at finishing near the top of the team standings, and with the Knights’ numbers and talent, they could do so on the boys and girls side of things. Cooper Spicher will push for titles in the 100 meters, 110 hurdles, long jump, and triple jump for the boys. And Quinn Spinler will add a spark in the 300 hurdles, 110 hurdles, high jump and pole vault. Gavin Spinler cold also earn points in the pole vault, while Jaxon Simonson could place in the throws. The girls team will be paced by Bettie Carlon in high jump, long jump and triple jump, and Tylynn Rettig in the 100, 200 and pole vault. Delainey Spicher will also be a factor in the hurdles, while Graysen Spicher has a strong arm in the javelin. Both relay teams for the boys and girls will also be pushing for top spots.

Chinook wasn’t too far behind the Knights at the 9C meet and will also bring a lot of top-tier athletes. For the boys, Zach Molyneaux has to be considered a favorite in the discus, javelin and shot put. Molyneaux set the 9C meet record in the discus last week with a toss of 132-11. Jacob MacLean will have to help carry the load in the high jump and 200, while Travis Roth is strong in the 800 and Kyle Johnson is strong in the 1,600. Britney Nelson will be a leader in girls action in the throws, while Kailey Kleinjan will be in the hunt in the sprints. Katelyn Neibauer will be tested in the middle distance races, while Emily Dennis will be pushed in a deep group of jumpers. The Beeters also have a bevy of top throwers in the meet.

Big Sandy, Box Elder, Turner, and Hays-Lodge Pole won’t be in the hunt for a team title, but they still have some talent that could push for individual titles, or at least a top finish. The Bears lack numbers, but have three individuals who should make the state meet after Thursday’s results. Will Ketchum will shine in the 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200, while Brandon The Boy and Shane Ketchum are also talented distance runners that aren’t too far behind him. Lucas Reed will compete in the long and triple jumps for Turner, while Codie Kirkaldie will compete in the distance races for the Thunderbirds. Big Sandy has Kyle Strutz who will compete well in the sprints.

Big Sandy’s Molly Herron and Maddy Reichelt are contenders in the girls action. Herron will have a shot at a top place in the 400 and 800, while Reichelt takes on the 3,200. And Ella Billmayer for Turner has a shot at competing at a high level in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200.

The Northern C Divisional track meet gets underway Thursday morning at Memorial Stadium in Great Falls. The top six athletes in each event advance to the Class C state track meet next weekend, also in Great Falls.