Blue Pony tracksters ready to race

Thanks to record-breaking snowfall and poor weather throughout the spring, the Havre High track teams have gotten their season off to a start that can be best described as unorthodox. However, head coach John Ita has had his own way of dealing with the weather, it includes some humor and some out-of-the-box thinking.

"We are just trying to get through it with humor," Ita said. "You just have to try to be positive about it."

Preparation for track can always be tricky in Montana, but this season, with record amounts of snowfall, it's been even more difficult. For the first couple weeks the Ponies were limited to indoor workouts or conditioning and form work at the people.

"We can work a lot of the form stuff in the pool," Ita said. "It can help runners with their stride. And our throwers have done a lot of the same footwork stuff they would normally do the first two weeks."

The past few years, the Ponies have been building, but still scored only a few points at the state meet a season ago. However, the girls team should have a solid chance to build on a promising season a year ago.

Two key performers that return are Logan Huebsch and Ireland Coyne. Both have scored points in the hurdles at state and each have a chance to contribute in the relays. Last season, Huebsch placed sixth in both the 100 and 300-meter hurdles. Huebsch also teamed with Coyne, Katie Wirtzberger and Jessa Chvilicek to take sixth in the 400-meter relay.

With a number of talented sprinters such as Wirtzberger, Chvilicek and Grace Loftus, the Ponies should be strong in the relays again. Havre also has a bevy of contenders in races like the 100, 200 and 400 with Wirtzberger and Chvilicek especially. Wirtzberger was eight at state in the 200 a year ago.

Chvilicek and Huebsch also contribute in the jumping events, another area Havre will look to score points. Sarah Faber is another Pony to watch in the jumps, while Loni Waid should also be a consistent point getter in the pole vault. In the distance events and 1,600 relay, Kaylee Nystrom, a standout in cross country who will run for Montana State University-Northern, should also be a strong contributor. In the throwing events, Havre will be looking for big things from Jordan Keith, who has competed a state multiple times. Amelia Beard is another pole vaulter that also has a chance to contribute in jumping events.

The rest of the girls roster features Kyndall Keller, Loy Waid, Abbey Morse, Britton Paulson, Taylor Torgerson, Loy Waid, Chelsey Wold, Gillian Dorrance and Katherine Keith and Laiken Harris.

When it comes to the Havre boys track team, there is more work to be done. While the girls team managed at least a few points at the state tournament, the boys were shut out at state. The team also is still very young, with few experienced veterans returning from last year's team. One that will return, is Ivar Aageson. However, due to a shoulder injury, he may not be able to compete in the pole vault, where he has had success in the past. He should contribute in the jumps and relay events.

Havre does have some experience in the sprinting events with Cole Watson and Brandon Shaw both back in the fold. Both Watson and Shaw competed in the 400-meter relay at state for HHS last season. In the distance events, the Ponies will be looking for another strong season from Jakob Keller. Mason Rismon is also a name to watch this season.

The rest of the boys roster includes Noah Azure, Andy Boucher, Joey Byrd, Dylan Chvilicek, Devin George, Preston Glock, Dylan Hanson, Nathan Howard, Casey Mariani, Noah Molitor, Brock Nystrom, Jeremiah Prker, Joaquin Sanchez, Tyler Sunchild, Julian Topsky and Dylan Young.

The track season is scheduled to get underway for the Ponies April 7 in Lewistown. The Havre Lions Invitational is set for April 14 and the annual Cal Wearley Track Meet, is supposed to take place Apri. 18. That will also be in Havre. The Eastern A Divisional will be May 18-19 in in Glendive, followed by the Class A state meet in Laurel May 25-26.