It's all on the line at the 9C track meet

With winter still fresh in the memories of many, and plenty of rough weather days over the last two months, it seems impossible that the 2016 track and field postseason is here.

But, the proof that the postseason has arrived will be when all of the area Class C schools converge on the Havre Middle School Track for Wednesday’s District 9C Track Meet. The meet will get underway at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to last until 5 p.m.

Every year, the 9C Meet is one of the most competitive meets in Class C track, and Wednesday’s version should be no different. The North Star Knights come in as the reigning boys and girls champions, and they have the strength to repeat on both sides, thanks to a great pool of talent, led by head coach Brian Campbell.

North Star has many standouts, including Payton Peterson and Matthew Helmbrecht on the boys side, as well as Lily Pedersen, Katelyn Harvey, Grayson Spicher and many more on the girls side. But, it isn’t just the top point getters that give the Knights the edge in the 9C, it’s their depth. On both sides, North Star typically scores multiple points in every event, and that always gives the Knights a leg up on the competition.

However, North Star isn’t alone in either the boys or girls meet Wednesday.

The Turner boys have put together a strong team, led by middle-distance runner Eddie Harmon, while Chester-Joplin-Inverness has perhaps the best athlete in the field in senior Justin May, who competes in sprints and field events. Chinook, a perennial power in the 9C, is led by distance runner Kyler Johnson, while Box Elder will be a team to watch with talented distance runners, including Shane Ketchum. The Bears will also bring two top relay teams to the meet, and that should make them a contender as well.

On the girls side, Chinook and Fort Benton are the two biggest challengers to North Star’s thrown. The Sugarbeeters have perhaps the best sprinter in the 9C in Kailey Kelinjan, and she is the favorite in the 100 and 200 meters. Chinook is also strong in the field events, with Abigail Ellison leading the way, and like North Star, head coach Paula Molyneaux’s Beeters have depth.

Fort Benton and CJI will also bring strong teams to Havre on Wednesday as well, while Big Sandy has an up-and-coming squad, led by distance runner Jessica Roth. Turner should also do well in the meet, with Jaye Anderson leading the way.

Of course, the 9C meet is also pressure-packed as the top six in each event go on to next week’s Northern C Divisional in Great Falls, while the season is over for any athlete who doesn’t finish in the top six. The top six in each event in Great Falls will then move on to the Class C state meet May 27-28 in Missoula.

The District 9C meet will get underway with field events at 10 a.m. and running events starting at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Havre Middle School Track.