Blue Pony track teams head to state

When the Class A state track meet starts this Friday in Laurel, the Blue Pony track teams won't be looking to make waves in the team competition, but that won't stop either the boys or girls teams from trying to get as many individuals on the podium as possible.

That's going to be one priority for the Ponies and head coach John Ita. Another will be for the kids that don't place, to at least finish the season with a personal record at their biggest meet. The Class A state track meet, which is being held jointly with Class B, will take place Friday and Saturday, with the action starting both days at 9 a.m.

"We have some kids that will have a chance to go down and score some points," HHS head coach John Ita said. "Ivar Aageson is certainly one that is going to have a chance to do that. Some of our other kids do too, but some of them are going to have hit PRs and even a little beyond if they want to place. They just need to get themselves into that mindset."

Aageson, who finished in the top three in four different events at the Eastern A Divisional last weekend, will try to find his way onto the podium in the 400-meter dash, the 300-meter hurdles, the long jump and the high jump. Right now, according to Montanatrack.com, Aageson is projected to score 12 points at state. The website that covers Montana track and field, gives Aageson a good shot to finish in the top five in the 400, 300 hurdles and long jump, according to previous finishes. Aageson will also spearhead the 400-relay team, which finished eighth at the Eastern A to qualify for state. The other two Havre boys that made it to state in an individual event are Andrew Boucher in the 400 and Dylan Chvilicek in the javelin.

"I expect Ivar to have a really good performance at state," Ita said. "He just his mind and body right. He has really had a good few weeks and he is just peaking at the right time, so I expect big things from him this weekend. He will have a great meet."

While Aageson offers the best hope for the Havre boys to rack up points at state, the Pony girls will more individual athletes, which could potentially lead to more points. Two individuals that should have a good shot to place are Sarah Faber and Jessa Chvilicek in the high jump. Chvilicek will also have a chance to earn points in the 100-meter dash. She will also run on the 400 and 1,600-meter relay teams, joining Taylor Torgerson, Kyndall Keller and Katie Wirtzberger on the short, as well as Torgerson, Wirtzberger and Loy Waid in the long relay.

Waid, a freshman, is another name to watch. She opened eyes with her second-place finish in the 400 at divisionals and she's another that could contend for the top-six at state. Katie Wirtzberger, who will run in both the 200 and the 400, is another that can't be counted out. HHS will also be represented well in the hurdles events, as Logan Huebsch, who has placed at state multiple times during her career, will give it one last go in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Ireland Coyne also qualified for the 100 hurdles after finishing fifth at divisionals.

Two other Havre girls that will look to score points in their final meet are Loni Waid, who will take part in the pole vault at state for the fourth straight year and Gillian Dorrance, who is coming off a sixth-place finish in the discus. Abbey Morse will also compete for the Pony girls in the javelin, after qualifying in ninth place at divisionals.

"Our girls team has some chances too," Ita said. "I think that both of our high jumpers could have a good chance. I think that we will do well in the hurdles and I am hoping that both of our relay teams will perform a little better than they did at divisionals. I think they might have let the nerves get to them a little. So hopefully, they will handle the big stage a little better and perform how they are capable of, cause I think both could work their way into the mix also."

The two-day Class A state track meet will open Friday in Laurel. The action will conclude on Saturday, with events starting on both days at 9 a.m.