The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Montana High School Track and Field season concluded this past week, and now teams across the state will turn their attention to their respective District Tournaments. The Chinook Sugarbeeters, Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds and Turner Tornadoes were in Rudyard on Monday, taking part in the Jason Groseclose Memorial Invitational. Tuesday, The Harlem Wildcats joined athletes from Chinook and Turner at the prestigious Norm Girard North/East Top 10. Friday Harlem was in Wolf Point for the Gene Nelson Memorial Invitational and Saturday the Wildcats concluded their regular season at the Havre Invitational.

The Jason Groseclose Memorial Track and Field meet was held in Rudyard on Monday and include a larger field than in previous years. Rocky Boy, Geraldine, Roy/Winifred, Sunburst and Hinsdale joined the District 9C teams at the meet. The 13 team field included a number of athletes from Chinook, Turner and Hays/Lodge Pole with many of them finishing at or near the top of their respected event.

The Groseclose Memorial is a good test for many athletes looking to find the podium for the first time. With Norm Girard Top 10 the following day, the field is much more conducive for athletes not qualified for the Top 10.

In the girls 1,600 Meter Run and the 3,200 Meter run it was Hays/Lodge Pole sophomore Rylee Martin made the most of her time to shine. Martin finished first in both events. The Thunderbirds also picked up a first place finish in the boys 3,200 Meter Run with junior Daniel Henry winning the event while freshman teammate Lance Morgan finished second. In the boys 1,600 Meter Run Turner sophomore Trent Billmayer was first to complete the four lap event. The Tornadoes also picked up a second place finish in the event with freshman Tate Beck turning in a solid effort.

Turner freshman Cassidy Grabofsky finished first in the girls 300 Meter Hurdles while teammate, freshman Meridian King-Snider finished right behind in second place. The Tornadoes also garnered a win in the boys 400 Meter race. Sophomore Ryan Doyle picked up the win for the Turner team.

In the field Doyle captured first in the Triple Jump with a hop skip and jump of 35'7". Junior Caden Sullivan won the boys Long Jump in a strong showing for the Sugarbeeters. The Boys Shot Put was won by Hays/Lodge Pole junior Kaleb Walker. Chinook sophomore Quentin Edwards was one spot back finishing second in the event. For the girls, Hays/Lodge Pole senior Judemia Gray finished first in the High Jump. Sugarbeeter freshman Hannah Schoen came out on top in the Shot Put with a mark of 28'0".

The 37th Annual North/East Top 10, the oldest meet of its kind in the state of Montana was recently renamed the 'Norm Girard North/East Top 10. The Sugarbeeters, Wildcats and Tornadoes each had an athlete finish on the podium (Top 4) in a stellar performance for our Blaine County Athletes.

The Norm Girard North/East Top 10 is a prestigious Track and Field Meet with the top 10 marks from the regular season from the Northern and Eastern Class B and C Divisions plus Class A Havre in each event being invited to participate.

The Sugarbeeters had a strong showing with seven athletes earning a total of ten podium spots. The Wildcats and Tornadoes each had one athlete earn a spot on the podium.

The 'Beeters 4x100 team earned a second place finish Tuesday evening completing all three exchanges perfectly to finish with a time of :46.13. The relay was ran by senior Toby Niederegger, senior Hunter Molyneaux, junior Braxton Inman and junior Tyler Schoen.

In addition to his relay podium Niederegger captured gold for the Sugarbeeters in the boys High Jump winning the event with a cleared height of 6'0".

Leading the way for the Sugarbeeters with three podiums was junior Levi Jensen. Jensen was outstanding in Glasgow. In the boys High Jump, Jensen cleared 5'10" to earn a third place finish. Later he added a fourth place finish in the boys 110 Meter High Hurdles with a time of :18.04. Lastly Jensen finished third in the 300 Meter Hurdles with a time :44.0.

Sophomore Hallie Neibauer earned a pair of podium finished in Glasgow. Neibauer finished fourth in the girls 800 Meter Run, completing the two lap race in 2:31.32. She also garnered a fourth place finish in the girls 400 Meter Dash with time of 1:02.65.

Adding to the 'Beeter success was junior Braxton Inman who had already earned a podium spot with the relay. Inman was fast out of the blocks in finishing second in the Boys 300 Meter Hurdles. Inman completed all hurdles and crossed the finish line in :43.53.

Senior Hunter Molyneaux enjoy some individual success at the North/East Top 10. Adding to his relay podium, Molyneaux finished third in the boys Long Jump with a leap of 19'6.5".

In the girls 3,200 Meter Run, junior Anna Terry collected a fourth place finish, enduring eight laps around the track to post a time of 12:35.75.

Harlem senior Taya Trottier found herself on the podium in a fantastic effort for the Lady Cats. Trottier, completed all four laps of the girls 1,600 Meter Run to earn a fourth place finish in the event with a time of 5:44.89.

Turner sophomore Ryan Doyle did his best in representing the Tornadoes. Doyle has found success on the track in the middle distance races. Tuesday evening in Glasgow Doyle finished the boys 800 Meter Run in a time 2:09.69 to finish fourth in the event.

The Jason Groseclose Memorial Invite and the Norm Girard North/East Top 10 marked the end of the regular season for the Chinook Sugarbeeters, Turner Tornadoes and Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds. The Wildcats and Lady Cats however still had one meet left to attend.

Friday the Harlem thinclads were in Wolf Point taking part in the Gene Nelson Memorial Invitational in Wolf Point. In the 300 Meter Girls Hurdles it was Lady Cat sophomore Kaitlyn Johnson earning a second place finish with a time of:51.28. For the boys it was the 4x400 Meter relay team that shined, finishing second in the event with a time of 4:07.92. The team consisted of sophomore Troy Longknife, junior Landen Grey, sophomore Shayne Stiffarm and senior Darrius Longknife.

The season finale was a good way to end the regular season for the Wildcats. It was a laid back meet that some took time off to rest up for the post season while others made the most of the opportunity. The Havre Invitational included just six teams and took place at the middle school track and field complex.

For the boys junior Landon Grey picked up a fifth place finish in the 800 Meter Run for the Wildcats. Sophomore Shayne Stiffarm garnered a sixth place finish in the 1,600 Meter Run with a good effort. Senior Darrius Longknife sprinted his way to a third place finish in the boys 110 Meter Hurdles. Longknife also finished third in the Boys High Jump.

For the Lady Cats, senior Chloe Messerly earned a fifth place finish in the Girls Discus to go along with a second place finish in the Girls Shot Put and a second place finish in the Girls Javelin. Sophomore EmJai Stiffarm earned a fourth place finish in the Girls High Jump as well as a sixth place finish in the Girls Triple Jump. Johnson finished sixth in the Girl Long Jump for the Lady Cats.

All four Blaine County Teams will now turn their attention to the post season as athletes look to hit their mark and advance to the Divisional round. For the Chinook Sugarbeeters, Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds and Turner Tornadoes the District 9C Tournament will be held today, May 11 at the Havre Middle School Track and Field Complex. The top five finishers in each event, plus pre qualified athletes will advance to the Northern C Divisional in Great Falls, May 19-20 at Memorial Stadium.

The Harlem Wildcats and Lady Cats will be Glasgow this Saturday for the District 2B Track and Field Meet. The top five athletes in each event, plus pre qualified Athletes will advance to the Northern B Divisional in Great Falls on Saturday May 21 at Memorial Stadium.

The top five athletes plus pre qualified athletes at the Northern C as well as the Northern B will advance to the combined Montana State Class C Track and Field Meet, May 27-28 in Great Falls at Memorial Stadium.

For a list of pre qualified athletes from the Norther C or Northern B as well as divisions and districts across the state, log on to http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Montana/

Norm Girard North/East Top 10 - Glasgow, MT

Girls Results (Top 10)

400 Meter Dash - 4.) Hallie Neibauer, Chinook - 1:02.65.

800 Meter Run - 4.) Hallie Neibauer, Chinook - 2:31.32; 5.) Alexus Seymour, Chinook - 2:33.74.

1600 Meter Run - 4.) Taya Trottier, Harlem - 5:44.89; 6.) Anna Terry, Chinook - 6:00.14.

3200 Meter Run - 4.) Anna Terry, Chinook - 12:35.75; 5.) Taya Trottier, Harlem - 12:46.42.

Javelin - 9.) Chloe Messerly, Harlem - 91'08".

High Jump - 8.) Keonna Medicine Bear, Harlem - 4'08.00"; 10.) Belle Elliot, Chinook - 4'06.00".

Boys Results (Top 10)

100 Meter Dash - 9.) Toby Niederegger, Chinook - :12.01.

800 Meter Run - 4.) Ryan Doyle, Turner - 2:09.69; 5.) Landen Beck, Chinook - 2:11.70.

3200 Meter Run - 7.) Landen Beck, Chinook - 11:44.16.

110 Meter Hurdles - 4.) Levi Jensen, Chinook - :18.04; 5.) Darrius LongKnife, Harlem - :18.34.

300 Meter Hurdles - 2.) Braxton Inman, Chinook - :43.53; 3.) Levi Jensen, Chinook - :44.00.

4x100 Meter Relay - 2.) Chinook (Toby Niederegger, Hunter Molyneaux, Braxton Inman, Tyler Schoen) - :46.13.

4x400 Meter Relay - 7.) Chinook (Hunter Molyneaux, Danny McKenzie, Braxton Inman, Oliver Standiford) - 3:53.55.

Javelin - 9.) Mikkel Rider, Harlem - 128'05".

High Jump - 1.) Toby Niederegger, Chinook - 6'00.00"; 3.) Levi Jensen, Chinook - 5'10.00"; 6.) Oliver Standiford, Chinook - 5'08.00".

Long Jump - 3.) Hunter Molyneaux, Chinook - 19'06.50".

Jason Groseclose Memorial Invitational

Girls Results (Top 6)

100 Meter Dash - 3.) Aspyn Colby, Chinook - :15.60; 4.) Judemia Gray, Hays/Lodge Pole - :15.70.

200 Meter Dash - 5.) Katie Kimmel, Turner - :35.30.

1600 Meter Run - 1.) Rylee Martin, Hays/L.P. - 7:35.00.

3200 Meter Run - 1.) Rylee Martin, Hays/L.P. - 16:19.20.

100 Meter Hurdles - 3.) Cassidy Grabofsky, Turner - :21.50.

300 Meter Hurdles - 1.) Cassidy Grabofsky, Turner - 1:03.30; 2.) Meridian King-Snider, Turner - 1:07.30.

4x100 Meter Relay - 4.) Chinook (Aspyn Colby, Cheyenne Weigand, Hannah Schoen, Sasha Gallus) - 1:08.30.

Shot Put - 2.) Hannah Schoen, Chinook - 28'00.00".

Javelin - 3.) Hannah Schoen, Chinook - 77-02"; 6.) Cassidy Grabofsky, Turner - 71'08".

High Jump - 1.) Judemia Gray, Hays/Lodge Pole - 4'04.00"; 4.) Cheyenne Weigand, Chinook - 4'02.00".

Long Jump - 4.) Jaedyn Chandler, Hays/Lodge Pole - 11'11.00".

Triple Jump - 3.) Meridian King-Snider, Turner - 25'10.00".

Boys Results (Top 6)

100 Meter Dash - 4.) Caden Sullivan, Chinook - :13.20; 5.) Ryan Doyle, Turner - 13.40.

200 Meter Dash - 5.) Trent Billmayer, Turner - :29.50.

400 Meter Dash - 1.) Ryan Doyle, Turner - :58.90.

1600 Meter Run - 1.) Trent Billmayer, Turner - 5:52.00, Turner - 2.) Tate Beck, Turner - 6:03.30; 4.) Daniel Henry, Hays/Lodge Pole - 6:17.90; 5.) Lance Morgan, Hays/Lodge Pole - 6:30.90; 6.) Corey Bilger, Chinook - 6:41.70.

3200 Meter Run - 1.) Daniel Henry, Hays/Lodge Pole - 12:59.50; 2.) Lance Morgan, Hays/Lodge Pole - 12:59.60; 3.) Caleb Zellmer, Turner - 16:01.80.

4x100 Meter Relay - 4.) Hays/Lodge Pole (Kaleb Walker, Avery Boe, Vincent Chandler, William Hughes Jr.) - :58.70; 5. Chinook (Quentin Edwards, Isaiah Gillett, Kaden Green, Carson Nissen) - :59.20.

Shot Put - 1.) Kaleb Walker, Hays/Lodge Pole - 37'02.00"; 2.) Quentin Edwards,Chinook - 36'01.00"; 6.) Jackson Nordboe,Chinook - 34'08.00.

Discus - 6.) Jackson Nordboe, Chinook - 89'11";

Javelin - 5.) Quentin Edwards, Chinook - 113'02".

High Jump - 5.) William Hughes Jr., Hays/Lodge Pole - 4'08.00".

Long Jump - 1.) Caden Sullivan, Chinook - 16'11.50".

Triple Jump - 1.) Ryan Doyle, Turner - 35'07.00".

Gene Nelson Memorial Invitational - Wolf Point, MT

Girls Results (Top 6)

100 Meter Dash - 4.) Kaitlyn Johnson, Harlem - :14.41.

200 Meter Dash - 3.) Kaitlyn Johnson, Harlem - :29.53.

800 Meter Run - 4.) Raelynne Briere, Harlem - 2:46.25.

300 Meter Hurdles - 2.) Kaitlyn Johnson, Harlem - :51.28.

Javelin - 5.) Jessica King, Harlem - 91'02".

Chinook Sugarbeeter Junior Anna Terry 4th 3,200 Meters - 12:35.75

High Jump - 4.) EmJai Stiffarm, Harlem - 4'04.00".

Long Jump - 3.) Desiree Smith, Harlem - 13'02.00"; 4.) Kaitlyn Johnson, Harlem - 13'01.50"; 6.) EmJai Stiffarm, Harlem - 12'08.50".

Triple Jump - 5.) Emma Billmayer, Harlem - 27-00'00"; 6.) Desiree Smith, Harlem - 26-08.00.

Girls Results (Top 6)

400 Meter Dash - 6.) Shayne Stiffarm, Harlem - 1:02.51.

300 Meter Hurdles - 5.) Darrius LongKnife, Harlem - :47.47.

4x400 Meter Relay - 2.) Harlem (Troy LongKnife, Landen Gray, Shayne Stiffarm, Darrius LongKnife) - 4:07.92.

Shot Put - 4.) Mikkel Rider, Harlem - 38'05.00".

Discus - 5.) Mikkel Rider, Harlem - 104'02".

Triple Jump - 5.) Troy LongKnife, Harlem - 37'07.25".