Back on Track: Havre Lions Invite a success

After the Cal Wearley Memorial in Havre was postponed last week, the Havre track and field team finally got the opportunity Saturday to compete in front of a home crowd at the Havre Middle School Track in the Havre Lions Invite.

"Awesome to get out, great crowd this morning, a lot of fun, a lot of smiles, a lot of laughter early on," HHS head coach Ryan Gatch said. "It was a great experience for our athletes and a great experience for our Blue Ponies."

While the Blue Ponies did not finish as strong as they have so far this season, they still competed hard against the other 21 schools at the meet. The boys team finished third in the meet with 55.5 points. Fort Benton finished first in the meet with 131 points and Lewistown finished second with 61 points. The Havre girls team finished fifth with 41.5 points as Lewistown finished first on the girls side.

In their first two meets this season, both the Ponies' boys and girls teams had finished second each time. While their finish Saturday was not as strong, Gatch believes his team had a strong showing, especially with the heavy winds and ugly weather that day.

"Great job coming out to adverse weather conditions," Gatch said. "Really excited with how our team's progressing and coming along, especially with some of our younger athletes that we have on our team."

For track and field, this was their first meet in nearly two years after the 2020 season was shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Havre athletes such as Nolan Lotton are happy to be competing again, he feels bittersweet for last year's seniors who did not get the chance to finish their Havre careers.

"It sucks that we're missing so many seniors that were supposed to be out here with us when that last year got canceled," Lotton said. "I'm just happy to get the opportunity to be doing it now."

Lotton had another strong outing for the Ponies as he finished first in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.8 seconds and he finished first in the 400 with a time of 53.6 seconds. He also finished tied for first in the 200 with Fort Benton's William Ullery with a time of 22.9 seconds.

Sadie Filius also had another strong showing in the 300-meter hurdles as she finished first with a time of :51. This is the third straight meet to start the season where she has won that event. After missing last season, Filius believes she is extra motivated to compete hard this season.

"I've just been so successful because I'm just excited to be here since we missed last season," Filius said. "Just not taking a second for granted."

Filius also had success in the 400 relay team with Loy Waid, Tamera O'Leary and Kennedy Hampton as they finished first with a time of 53.2 seconds. The relay team has already had success so far this season and Filius believes they have the potential to continue their strong start.

"I love our relay team," Filius said. "We were going to have a good one last year and we were all bummed that we didn't get to do it."

Her relay teammates also had their own success in individual events. Waid tied with Taylor Evans of Conrad for first in the girls 100 with a time of 12.9. Other Ponies had success in that event, as well, with O'Leary and Hampton finishing tied for third with a time of 13.0.

The Ponies had some other successes throughout the day. Dylan Young finished second behind Browning's Jeremy Bockus in the 1,600 with a time of 5:10. Right behind Young in third place was Havre's Brody Henry, who recorded a time of 5:19. The boys 400 relay team of Lotton, Shane Patacsil, Jasper Wendland and Jason Wold finished third with a time of 48.1..

Three meets into the season, Gatch believes he is starting to get a clearer picture of his athletes and their strengths and weaknesses. He believes that knowing this will help him coach them better so they can reach their potential this season.

"We know our students' strengths and weaknesses. Where we got to develop in their weakness areas, where their strengths are, where we can enhance those, where we can compete deep into the postseason with some of our athletes," Gatch said. "Now we really have a very good idea where our athletes are going to fit in at."

The Ponies will next compete in the Lewistown Invitational this Saturday.

Havre Lions Invite

BOYS

Team Scores

Fort Benton 131, Lewistown 61, Havre 55.5, Malta 47, Hobson-Moore-Judith Gap 39, Hinsdale 36, Browning 35, Conrad 23, Great Falls Central Catholic 21, Harlem 16, Whitewater 14, Hays Lodge Pole 14, Shelby 9, Chester-Joplin-Inverness 9, North Star 7, Big Sandy 3.5, Choteau 3, Saco 2, Chinook 1.

100 - 1. Nolan Lotton, HAV, 10.8; 2. William Ullery, FB, 11.0; 3. Rhett Patnode, HMJG, 11.2; 3. Loden Idler, HIN, 11.2; 5. Jackson Swanz, HMJG, 11.3; 5. Carter Morgan, CHO, 11.3; 5. Jesse Lee, HIN, 11.3.

200 - 1. Nolan Lotton, HAV, 22.9; 1. William Ullery, FB, 22.9; 3. Rhett Patnode, HMJG, 23.2; 4. Ashton Grover, LEW, 23.3; 5. Hayden Diekhans, FB, 23.5; 6. Jackson Swanz, HMJG, 23.7.

400 - 1. Nolan Lotton, HAV, 53.6; 2. Jesse Lee, HIN, 55.9; 3. Devin Bird, FB, 56.1; 4. Kyle Darrington, MAL, 58.2; 5. Brinkley Evans, CON, 58.4; 6. Logan Leck, SHE, 58.5.

800 - 1. Jeremy Bockus, BRW, 2:13.0; 2. Devin Bird, FB, 2:17.0; 3. Jalen Robinson, LEW, 2:20.9; 4. Brody Henry, HAV, 2:23.0; 5. Carter Campbell, NS, 2:25.0; 6. Thunder Smith, BRW, 2:25.2.

1,600 - 1. Jeremy Bockus, BRW, 4:55.0; 2. Dylan Young, HAV, 5:10.0; 3. Brody Henry, HAV, 5:19.0; 4. Jaden Sargent, NS, 5:22.0; 5. Caleb Tomac, HAV, 5:23.0; 5. Lane Demontiney, BS, 5:23.0.

3,200 - 1. Jacob Giles, FB, 12:37.0; 2. Isaiah Denny, HLP, 13:25.0; 3. Daniel Henry, HLP, 13:42.0; 4. Moses Lawrence, HAR, 13:51.0; 5. Kaiden Gardner, LEW, 14:32.00; 6. Jacob Major, CHO, 15:40.0.

100 H - 1. Jackson Swanz, HMJG, 16.7; 2. Gage Norslien, LEW, 16.9; 2. Jackson Tarum, GFCC, 16.9; 4. Michael Bennett, CON, 18.8; 5. Steven Kornegay, HMJG, 18.9; 6. Rhett Patnode, HMJG, 19.01.

300 H - 1. Jackson Swanz, HMJG, 45.8; 2. Jett Boyce, LEW, 46.6; 3. Jackson Schmele, FB, 48.7; 4. Jonathan Blanchard, CON, 49.1; 5. Darrius LongKnife, HAR, 49.9; 6. Braxton Inman, CHI, 50.1.

400 Relay - 1. Fort Benton, 47.0; 2. Conrad, 47.6; 3. Havre, 48.1; 3. Malta, 48.1.

1,600 Relay - 1. Fort Benton, 3:49.0; 2. Shelby, 4:00.0; 3. Browning, 4:03.0; 4. Malta, 4:04.0.

High Jump - 1. Jesse Lee, HIN, 6-00; 2. Nick Marias, FB, 6-00; Connor Tuss, MAL, 5-10; 4. Kyler Fleming, LEW, 5-08.

Pole Vault - 1. Jace Thompson, FB, 11-00; 2. Loden Idler, HIN, 10-06; 3. Tim Lane, FB, 8-06; 4. Ryder Cole, CJI, 8-06.

Long Jump - 1. Nick Marias, FB, 21-04; 2. Hayden Diekhans, FB, 20-09; 3. William Ullery, FB, 20-02.5; 4. Jackson Tarum, GFCC, 19-10; 5. Jace Thompson, FB, 19-09; 6. Carson Bitney, CON, 19-02.

Triple Jump - Jackson Tarum, GFCC, 41-11; 2. Amari Stanley, HAR, 39-07; 3. Kyler Fleming, LEW, 38-10; 4. Kyle Harmon, CJI, 38-06; 5. Matt Golick, LEW, 38-01; 6. Andrew Rasmussen, HAR, 37-11.

Shot Put - Cash Salsbery, MAL, 44-03.25; 2. Beau Simonson, WHI, 43-08.5; 3. Mark Doty, CON, 43-08; 4. Christian Karhi, LEW, 42-11.75; 5. Kade Strutz, BS, 42-10; 6. Dylan Morris, LEW, 40-10.25.

Discus - Cash Salsbery, MAL, 154-03; 2. David Pitman, MAL, 150-00; 3. Beau Simonson, WHI, 147-10.5; 4. Seth Norslien, 133-06; 5. Dane Byle, FB, 132-06.5; 6. Sean Zimmer, LEW, 125-04.

Javelin - 1. Colter Ball, FB, 154-08.5; 2. Seth Norslien, LEW, 138-04.5; 3. Lawrence BirdRattler, BRW, 125-09.5; 4. Loden Idler, HIN, 125-03; 5. Bradyn Winchell, HAV, 124-01; 6. Mikkel Rider, HAR, 117-03.

GIRLS

Team Scores

Lewistown 69.5, Fort Benton 65.5, Whitewater 47, Conrad 42.67; Havre 41.5, Saco 38, Malta 35, Hinsdale 30.5, Choteau 22, Great Falls Central Catholic 22, Chinook 20, Harlem 14, Turner 13, North Star 10, Big Sandy 9, Browning 6, Hobson-Moore-Judith Gap 6, Chester-Joplin-Inverness 0.33.

100 - 1. Loy Waid, HAV, 12.9; 1. Taylor Evans, CON, 12.9; 3. Tamera O'Leary, HAV, 13.0; 3. Kennedy Hampton, HAV, 13.0; 3. Mari Anderson, GFCC, 13.0; 6. Eleace Shaw, CON, 13.4; 6. Natalie Barsch, CON, 13.4; 6. Abby Fraser, CJI, 13.4.

200 - 1. Taylor Evans, CON, 27.4; 2. Dakota Auck, HMJG, 27.8; 3. Aspen Giese, FB, 27.85; 4. Josie Brown, SAC, 28.1; 5. Eva Wagoner, BS, 28.2; 6. Kaitlyn McColly, HIN, 28.6; 6. Koryanne Lisle, LEW, 28.6.

400 - 1. Aspen Giese, FB, 1:05.6; 2. Paige Wasson, WHI, 1:09.0; 3. Kendall Scheffelmear, WHI, 1:10.6; 4. Jaycee Worrall, BS, 1:10.7; 5. Kora LaBrie, WHI, 1:13.1; 6. Aspen Montgomery, LEW, 1:13.3.

800 - 1. Laynie Sattoriva, NS, 2:35; 2. Ada Bieler, CHO, 2:40.5; 3. Taya Trottier, HAR, 2:44.0; 4. Teagan Erickson, SAC, 2:44.5; 5. Jaycee Erickson, SAC, 2:45.0; 6. Winnie Phansombun, LEW, 2:46.5.

1,600 - 1. Ada Bieler, CHO, 5:52.0; 2. Taya Trottier, HAR, 6:01.0; 3. Kiara IronHeart, BRW, 6:05.0; 4. Kia Wasson, WHI, 6:07.0; 5. Anna Terry, CHI, 6:09.0; 6. Shyan Krass, TUR, 6:22.0.

3,200 - 1. Anna Terry, CHI, 13:45.0; 2. Shyan Krass, TUR, 14:42.0; 3. Alex Naber, LEW, 14:43.0; 4. Samantha Wisher, WHI, 14:44.00; 5. Zora Holt, HIN, 15:57.0; 6. Kendra Cummings, WHI, 17:11.0.

100 H - 1. Kaitlyn McColly, HIN, 14.9; 2. Abby Clark, FB, 16.3; 3. June LePage, LEW, 17.0; 4. Rylee Armstrong, LEW, 17.1; 5. Kyanna Jarvis, HAV, 17.2; 5. Allie Wallace, FB, 17.2.

300 H - 1. Sadie Filius, HAV, 51.0; 2. Allie Wallace, FB, 52.8; 3. June LePage, LEW, 53.1; 4. Rylee Armstrong, LEW, 53.8; 5. Abby Clark, FB, 54.5; 6. Eva Wagoner, BS, 55.9.

400 Relay - 1. Havre, 53.2; 2. Great Falls Central Catholic, 55.7; 3. Lewistown, 56.1; 4. Conrad, 56.6.

1,600 Relay - 1. Whitewater, 4:52.0; 2. Malta, 5:00.0; 3. Lewistown, 5:03.0; 4. Choteau, 5:11.0.

High Jump - 1. Teagan Erickson, SAC, 5-02; 2. Mari Anderson, GFCC, 5-00; 3. Abby Clark, FB, 5-00; 4. Kendall Scheffelmear, WHI, 4-10.

Pole Vault - 1. Kaitlin McColly, HIN, 9-06; 2. Jaycee Erickson, SAC, 8-06; 3. Natalie Bartsch, CON, 7-06; 4. Lydia Vermulm, CON, 7-06.

Long Jump - 1. Aspen Giese, FB, 16-08.5; 2. Kaitlin McColly, HIN, 16-04.5; 3. Teagan Erickson, SAC, 16-03.5; 4. Abby Clark, FB, 15-11.5; 5. Mari Anderson, GFCC, 15-06.25; 6. Erica Smith, MAL, 14-11.

Triple Jump - 1. Erica Smith, MAL, 33-03; 2. Rylee Armstrong, LEW, 31-05; 3. Taylor Evans, CON, 31-04.5; 4. Jaycee Erickson, SAC, 30-11; 5. Kendall Scheffelmear, WHI, 30-10; 6. Breauna Erickson, CON, 30-08.

Shot Put - 1. Kylie Zimmer, LEW, 37-06; 2. Tia Siewing, MAL, 33-05.75; 3. Kelsee Cummings, WHI, 33-02.5; 4. Cloe Kalanick, FB, 32-06.5; 5. Kinley Hamilton, CHI, 32-06; 6. Maci Molinario, FB, 31-05.75.

Discus - 1. Kylie Zimmer, LEW, 145-05; 2. Skylie Lefdahl, MAL, 120-00; 3. Jayden Miller, CHI, 102-11; 4. Shyan Krass, TUR, 96-04.5; 5. Cloe Kalanick, FB, 95-07.5; 5. Jasmine Wilson, FB, 95-07.5.

Javelin - 1. Jaycee Erickson, SAC, 102-02; 2. Zandora Longtree, HIN, 99-00; 3. Elsah Bechtold, CHO, 98-08; 4. Rainee Watson, NS, 98-01; 5. Maci Molinario, FB, 95-09.5; 6. Averie Mattson, CJI, 94-03.