Chinook, Harlem, Turner Thinclads Finally Get To Compete in Cut Bank
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Track & Field Teams from Turner, Chinook and Harlem finally got a chance to compete this past Thursday in Cut Bank. After nearly a month of practice, nearly all of it inside, they did a fantastic job getting off to a solid start. This Saturday the Cal Wearley will take place in Havre in which the 'Beeters, Wildcats and Tornadoes will all be back in action. The Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds are expected to compete for the first time as well.
It's been another weather delayed start to the high school spring sports season, but after practicing indoors for nearly a full month with no competition; Track and Field teams from Chinook, Harlem and Turner finally got a chance to compete. The three teams made the trek west to Cut Bank on Thursday for the Pre-Easter Invitational and performed very well.
Ten years ago the Montana High School association adopted State Qualifying Standards for Class AA, A, B and a year later Class C. The intention being to allow athletes that achieve a high level of success during the regular season can secure their place at the state tournament. Gone were the days of an athlete losing out on a chance to compete due to a unfortunate instance at the District or Divisional Meets, like a false start to take away the opportunity.
An athlete who has met a qualifying standard still must enter the event at said meets to ensure their spot. The qualifying standards vary for each class, but are challenging to achieve in every event. This past week Chinook seniors Anna Terry and Levi Jensen each pre-qualified for the State C State Meet. Terry punched her ticket in the 3,200 Meter Run while Jensen met the qualifying standard for the Class C Boys High Jump. Harlem eighth grader Branlin Foote is on the verge in the 3,200 and 1,600 Meter runs and the potential is there for several others to secure their spot as well.
The Sugarbeeter Track and Field team has done their best to get ready for competition and were able to get the runners outside from time to time prior to heading to Cut Bank, but like everyone else getting in a solid practice was tough. Jenson led the way for the boys, clearing 6'0" in the High Jump to win the event and secure his spot at the State C in Laurel, May 26-27. Sophomore Oliver Standiford finished in third with a cleared height of 5'10".
Jensen had a solid opening meet for the 'Beeters as he added a second place finish in the 110 Meter Hurdles with an effort of :17.35. Senior Tyler Schoen collected a fourth place finish for the 'Beeters in the 200 Meter Dash (:25.33) to go with a fifth place finish in the Shot Put (38'6"). The 4x100 Meter Relay team of Schoen, senior Brenden Fetter, senior Braxton Inman and sophomore Carson Nissen also finished fifth with a time of :47.36.
Terry led the girls team with a second place finish in the 3,200 Meter run with a personal best time of 12:20.57 which easily qualified her for the State C. Terry added a second place finish in the 1,600 Meter run as well, crossing the finish line in 5:54.71. 'Beeter junior Hallie Neibauer turned in a fantastic effort in the 800 Meter run crossing the finish line in 2:35.18 to win the event. Sophomore Alexus Seymour finished a step back in second place with a time of 2:36.76.
Neibauer added a second place finish in the 400 Meter run as well completing her lap in 1:04.57. Seymour finished fifth in the event with a time of 1:07.20.
Harlem was led on the track by the sensational effort of their eighth grader distance runner. Foote turned in an amazing Cross Country season for the Wildcats and talk began to swirl of this up and coming potential superstar. In his very first high school action he didn't disappoint winning the event by more than :34 with a time of 10:52.40. Conditions in Cut Bank were extremely windy making the time even that much more impressive. Foote added a third place finish to the Wildcat tally crossing the finish line in 4:56.40.
Senior Keona Medicine Bear led the way for the Lady Cat Track and Field team with a fourth place finish in the girls High Jump with a cleared height of 4'6". Junior Emma Billmayer also garnered a fourth place finish for the Lady Cats with a leap of 31'5.5" in the Triple Jump.
The Turner Tornadoes had a couple athletes really shine in Cut Bank as well. Freshman Bridget Reed took home a second place finish in the girls 300 Meter Hurdles with a time of :51.11. Junior Ryan Doyle added a pair of seventh place finishes in the 200 Meter Dash and the 400 Meter run to lead the Turner boys.
