Ryan Divish
Havre Daily News Sports Editor
rdivish@havredailynews.com
GREAT FALLS - The Big Sandy boys track team didn't bring home a trophy from this past weekend's Class C State Track Meet, but the Pioneers did bring back a few things just as valuable, namely experience and confidence.
Big Sandy came up just four points away from bringing home a trophy, finishing fourth with 32 points, just four points behind third-place finisher Power. Drummond won the team title with 53, while defending champion Harlowton was second with 41 points.
With a team full of underclassmen, led by sophomore Kyle Danreuther who won the 300 hurdles, and a 1,600 relay team that also captured a title. There will be a trophy next year, they guarantee it.
"Oh yeah, we're going to get a trophy next year," said junior Karl Osterman, who anchored the victorious relay squad. "We can't wait for next year. We want it bad."
Big Sandy got off to a good start on Saturday with a third-place finish in the 400 relay.
The team of Lawrence Jappe, Danreuther, Justin Willis and Ryan Pokorny ran a solid race with a 45.21.
"We weren't bad in that race," said head coach Roy Lackner. "We were right there."
Danreuther had little time to rest, having to run the 300 hurdles in the next event. He took an early lead in the race, and recovered from a minor stumble on the second to last hurdle to win.
"I thought I was going down, but I found my balance," he admitted after the race. "I was worried that I knocked the hurdle down into someone else's lane."
But even with the stumble, Lackner knew the race was Danreuther's to win.
"He's running almost two seconds faster than the rest of the field," he said. "In the preliminaries, he hit two hurdles and still ran in the 40s. For somebody hitting hurdles, he still runs a fast time. I really think him training for the 400 has given him a little wind at the end."
Along the way, the Pioneers picked up a fifth from Pokorny in the 100 and a fourth from Osterman in the 400. But they saved the best for last in the 1,600 relay, overcoming a slight controversy.
Lackner had planned to substitute Pokorny in the relay for freshman Darin Ray, who had ran in the preliminaries. However, Lackner didn't have Pokorny listed as an alternate on the relay card.
"I thought all we needed to have them listed on was our official roster," Lackner said. "We did the same thing at divisional and it wasn't a problem. I could have filed a protest, but everything happened pretty fast."
So fast that Ray didn't even have time to get his own track shoes and was forced to borrow a pair.
"I told him he couldn't come in fourth on his lap like he did in the prelims," Lackner said. "He told me he would do his best."
With Danreuther running a solid first leg, Ray took the handoff and proceeded to run his best 400 split of the season, leaving the Pioneers in second behind Harlowton.
"Darin did a pretty dang good job," Danreuther said. "He ran a tough leg. It was just a gutsy performance. It wasn't bad considering he's just a freshman."
With Ray leaving the Pioneers in position, Willis kept the Pioneers in place on his leg, setting up a showdown of a final lap between Osterman and Harlowton's Shawn Schreiber. He stayed a few steps behind Schreiber for about the first 250 yards before making his move on the final turn and overtaking him down the stretch.
"I just kind of coasted behind him and then made my move," Osterman said. "My legs were roasted. I was just going on pure adrenaline."
Said Lackner: "Somebody asked me why I have Karl run that last leg. That's why. It's the last event, everybody's cheering and if you put Karl in front of crowd, he thinks he's Superman."
Elsewhere in the boys, the Chester Coyotes finished with 18 team points.
Senior Isaac VanDyke capped a brilliant prep career with a second-place finish in the 3,200 and a fourth in the 1,600.
In the 3,200, eventual champ John Ricardi of Gardiner set a blazing pace in the opening laps. But VanDyke would have none of it. He trailed by as many as 12 runners before slowly chasing down each runner, eventually settling into the runner-up spot on the second to last lap.
"Isaac knows exactly what's going on and what he needs to do," said Chester head coach Jim Graham. "He's smart enough to know that he couldn't run at Ricardi's pace early on. He ran his own race."
Chester also got a nice performance from Zach Ramberg, who finished third in the triple jump with a career best 43-1.
"Zach gave us a few bonus points that we weren't necessarily expecting in the triple jump," Graham said. "He had his best jumps of the season."
The only local placer in the boys was KG junior Cody Donoven, who finished sixth the 110 and 300 hurdles. On the girls side, Chester finished fifth with 29 points. Two-time defending champion Geraldine took the team title with 88 points. Tigers' senior Toni Qunell had another stellar day, winning the 100, 200, 400 and 100 and 300 hurdles. She also ran a dramatic anchor leg in the 1,600 relay to give her six gold medals on the day and 18 for her career.
But her 18th gold didn't come easy as Chester seemed poised to win the team title.
The Coyotes grabbed an early lead thanks to a solid first leg by Leisa Kolstad. Sophomore Brittany Kolstad and junior Brianne Wolfe, extended the lead on their legs, giving way to senior Jillien Johnson, who started with an almost 40 meter lead.
However, Qunell ran her down and caught her with about 120 meters remaining. She overtook Johnson moments later and spread the distance down the stretch.
"There was nothing Jill could do about it," Graham said. "She gave us a 100 percent. That was absolutely as hard as should go, but she couldn't hold her off. You can't be upset about losing to Toni Qunell. It's not like anybody beats her."
Still, Graham was plenty pleased with the second-place finish.
"I was real proud of the girls," he said. "They broke the school record by over five seconds."
Johnson had plenty to be proud of over the weekend. After missing last year's state meet because of family commitments, she made the most of her last state track meet.
She finished second in the 1,600 with a solid time of 5:36.37. She added a third in the 3,200 Opheim's Jayme Larson dominated both races, winning both going away.
Chester also got fourth-place finish from Wolfe in the 400 and a fifth in the 100 and a sixth in the 200 from Kolstad. Unfortunately in one of her better events - the 100 hurdles - Kolstad took a nasty spill after getting caught on a hurdle.
She rebounded to place in her two events along with running the relay.
"Sometimes you have to pull yourself up by the bootstraps," Graham said. "Brittany really came back and competed after the fall."
Blue Sky/J-I finished in 15th place, scoring nine team points. Freshman Deserie O'Neil finished second in the high jump with a leap of 5-2. The Eagles' 1,600-meter relay team finished sixth.
Also getting team points were the Big Sandy Pioneers with four. Sophomore Shersteen Cline finished fifth in the 400, while freshman Morgan Darlington was fifth in the 800.
"Shersteen finished fifth at divisional and that was after someone was disqualified," Lackner said. "She didn't want to come down and compete, but I think she's glad she did. This will offer some motivation for next year. Morgan is just a freshman and this was a good learning experience for her."
BOYS
Final team scores
1. Drummond 53; 2. Harlowton 41; 3. Power 36; 4. (tie) Big Sandy 32; (tie) Melstone 32; (tie) Noxon 32; 7. Gardiner 28; 8. Saco 25; 9. PC, 19; 10. Chester 18; 11. (tie) Denton 17; (tie) Richey 17; 13. Medicine Lake/Froid 16; 14. Broadview/Lavina 14; 15. (tie) Augusta 12; (tie) Fairview 12; (tie) West Yellowstone 12; 18. (tie) Cen, 11; (tie) Culbertson 11; 20. Belfry 10; 21. (tie) Harrison 8; (tie) Roy 8; (tie) Whitewater 8; 24. (tie) Shields Valley 6; (tie) Stanford 6; 26. (tie) Belt 4; (tie) Fromberg 4; (tie) Geyser 4; (tie) Joliet 4; (tie) Sunburst 4; (tie) Wibaux 4; 32. Grass Range 3; 33. (tie) Hobson 2; (tie) Kremlin-Gildford 2; (tie) Lima 2; (tie) Ryegate 2; 37. (tie) Charlo 1; (tie) Geraldine 1.
Friday
1,600 - 1. John Ricardi, Gar, 4:22.44. 2. Robert Blessing, Melstone, 4:32.02. 3. Nathan Michael, PC, 4:34.31. 4. Isaac VanDyke, Che, 4:48.01. 5. Dustin Tull, Rye, 4:40.74. 6. Stephan Wall, Blt, 4:41.92.
Javelin - 1. Daniel Beaudin, Nox, 190-9. 2. Blake Lehman, Har, 185-5. 3. Josh Ming, Wes, 176-0. 4. Scott Buckentin, Den, 170-11. 5. Adam Waltz, Hobson, 170-4. 6. Aaron Blair, PC, 169-0.
Long jump - 1. Kale Eike, Melstone, 22-3. 2. Pat Menge, Saco, 21-6. 3. Chase Reynolds, Dru, 20-9. 4. Devin Dahl, Dru, 20-7. 5. Ryan Neumann, Geyser, 20-6. 6. Dakota Wergin, Blt, 20-4.
Pole vault - 1. Cavan Conney, Har, 14-0. 2. Cole Derks, Den, 13-0. 3. Daniel Hawkey, Sta, 12-6. 4. Devin Dahl, Dru, 12-6. 5. Sheff Halsey, Har, 12-0. 6. Levi Clark, Ger, 12-0.
Discus - 1. Daniel Beaudin, Nox, 168-7. 2. Jake Rohrer, BrL, 157-7. 3. Colton Justice, Medicine Lake/Froid, 157-3. 4. Lance Hansen, Wibaux, 152-4. 5. Adam Schilling, Cen,, 145-5. 6. Mark Buckentin, Den, 139-11.
Saturday
400 relay - 1. Drummond 45.05; 2. Power 45.09; 3. Big Sandy 45.21; 4. Saco 45.32; 5. Noxon 45.47; 6. Culbertson 46.25.
300 hurdles - 1. Kyle Danbreuther, Big, 40.55; 2. Layton Veverka, Ric, 41.02; 3. Ross Mosher, Aug, 41.41; 4. Martin Rogers, Jol, 42.50; 5. Brenton Melton, Den, 42.96; 6. Cody Donoven, KG, 43.83.
110 hurdles - 1. Casey Schell, MLF, 15.85; 2. Brian Guisti, Cen, 15.99; 3. Vojtech Pohdradsky, Aug, 16.02; 4. Layton Veverka, Ric, 16.26; 5. Seth Young, Lima, 16.27; 6. Cody Donoven, KG, 16.37.
High jump - 1. Devin Dahl, Dru, 6-0; 2. Casey Willmore, Roy, 6-0; 3. Brock Arthun, Shields Valley, 6-0; 4. Jake Rohrer, BrL, 6-0; 5. Lance Nemec, Den, 6-0; 6. Seth Servais, Richey, 6-0.
800 - 1. Shawn Schreiber, Har, 1:58.65; 2. John Ricardi, Gar, 1:58.89; 3. Robert Blessing, Mel, 2:02.18; 4. Levi Vaughan, Fro, 2;04.06; 5. Dwayne Mullens, Har, 2:04.14; 6. Cory Kirkpatrick, BL, 2:04.35.
Shot put - 1. Daniel Beaudin, Nox, 55-5; 2. Casey Clausen, Har, 50-10; 3. Alex Verlanic, Dru, 50-9; 4. Clayton Unruh, Ric, 49-9; 5. Brock Hansen, Gey, 49-3; 6. Joey Ray, Cha, 48-5.
Triple jump - 1. Dustin Cichosz, Bel, 44-0; 2. Talon Allen, Pow, 43-2; 3. Zach Ramberg, Che, 43-1; 4. Kale Eike, Mel, 42-7; 5. Chase Reynolds, Dru, 42-5; 6. Pat Menge, Saco, 42-3.
100 - 1. Talon Allen, Pow, 11.36; 2. Ben Beck, Cul, 11.45; 3. Derek Beadle, Saco, 11.49; 4. Sean kennelly, WY, 11.51; 5. Ryan Pokorny, Big, 11.60; 6. Clay Cantrell, Dru, 11.61.
400 - 1. Erik Johnson, FV, 51.13; 2. Roman Morris, WW, 51.46; 3. Brett Greybeal, Dru, 51.86; 4. Karl Osterman, Big, 52.19; 5. Garath Stahl, GR, 52.42; 6. Shawn Schrei-ber, Har, 52.74.
200 - 1. Talon Allen, Pow, 22.70; 2. Sean Kennelly, WY, 22.77; 3. Derek Beadle, Saco, 22.95; 4. Aric Clark, Sun, 23.20; 5. Ben Beck, Cul, 23.29; 6. Garath Stahl, GR, 23.39.
3,200 - 1. John Ricardi, Gar, 10:04.97; 2. Isaac VanDyke, Che, 10:11.49; 3. Nathan Michael, PC, 10:16.18; 4. Robert Blessing, Mel, 10:18.26; 5. Stephan Wall, Blt, 10:23.26; 6. Kyle Erickson, BL, 10:27.01.
1,600 relay - 1. Big Sandy 3:32.53; 2. Har, 3:32.58; 3. PC, 3:33.00; 4. Drummond 3:36.05; 5. Fairview 3:36.42; 6. Cen, 3:36.49.
GIRLS
Final team scores
1. Geraldine 88; 2. Opheim 54; 3. Victor 48; 4. Harlowton 43; 5. Chester 29; 6. Broadview/Lavina 27; 7.Charlo 26; 8. Fromberg 19; 9. (tie) Philipsburg 16; (tie) Grass Range 16; (tie) Highwood 16; (tie) Twin Bridges 16; 13. Power 11; 14. Cen, 10; 15. Blue Sky/J-I 9; 16. (tie) Absarokee 16; (tie) Lima 8; (tie) Medicine Lake/Froid 8; 19. Drummond 7; 20. (tie) Judith Gap 6; (tie) Scobey 6; 22. Custer 5; 23. (tie) Big Sandy 4; (tie) Circle 4; (tie) Culbertson 4; (tie) PC, 4; (tie) Stanford 4; (tie) Westby 4; 29. (tie) Augusta 2; (tie) Bridger 2; (tie) Fairview 2; (tie) Gardiner 2; (tie) Jordan 2; 34. Valier 1; 35. (tie) Belt 1; (tie) Denton 1; (tie) Geyser 1; (tie) Hysham 1; (tie) Shields Valley 1; (tie) Two Eagle River 1; (tie) Winifred 1.
Friday
800 - 1. Jayme Larson, Oph, 2:20.48. 2. Amy Allen, Lima, 2:25.89. 3. Kendall Theriault, Har, 2:27.17. 4. Miranda Myhre, Cus, 2:27.79. 5. Morgan Darlington, Big, 2:28.21. 6. Erin Econom, Win, 2:28.39.
Pole vault - 1. Jacque Mellinger, Pow, 10 feet. 2. Adri Hammond, Cha, 9-3. 3. Holly Dahl, Dru, 9-0. Jordan Merrill, Sta, 8-6, 5. (tie) Lexa Loch, Pow, 8-6. (tie) Cayla DeBoo, Valier, 8-6.
Discus - 1. Amanda Murphy, Cha, 116-8. 2. Alicia Burtchett, Ger, 115-10. 3. Alli Jones, Har, 115-3. 4. Ginny Davidson, PC, 112-3. 5. Marci Mudd, Bridger, 112-0. 6. Whitney Brown, Two, 106-9.
3,200 - 1. Jayme Larson, Opheim 11:30.0. (record, old mark 11:37.32 by Robin Wemple, Victor, 2001) 2. Christy Pletan, Har, 12:24.06. 3. Jill Johnson, Che, 12:24.91. 4. Angela Edwards, Opheim 12:38.34. 5. Sharlie Whiteside, Jordan, 12:41.22. 6. Bryana Gondeiro, Blt, 12:42.28.
Long jump - 1. Ashley Grammens, BrL, 16-6. 2. Andi Wilham, Cen,, 16-0. 3. Whitney Baum, Hwd, 15-8. 4. Rachel Clark, Ger, 15-6. 5. Mary Cote, Gar, 15-4. 6. Alissa Klose, Fvw, 15-3.
Saturday
400 relay - 1. Absarokee 51.92; 2. Twin Bridges 52.78; 3. Judith Gap 53.28; 4. Highwood 53.32; 5. Fromberg 53.56; 6. Geyser 53.61.
300 hurdles - 1. Toni Qunell, Ger, 45.33; 2. Britany Olson, GR, 46.87; 3. Amanda Burrington, Victor; 47.05; 4. Annie Barker, Fromberg, 47.48; 5. Brittney Kolstad, Che, 47.50; 6. Andrea Hoffman, Cus, 48.55
100 hurdles - 1. Toni Qunell, Ger, 15.35; 2. Amanda Burrington, Vic, 16.23; 3. Brittany Olson, GR, 16..44; 4. Annie Barker, Fro, 16.55; 5. Brittney Opp, MLF, 16.84; 6. Kayle Palmer, Dru, 16.89.
High jump - 1. Ellie Kauffman, Vic, 5-3; 2. Deserie O'Neil, BSJI, 5-2; 3. Sarah Harvey, MLF, 5-0; 4. Ashley Grammens, BL, 5-0; 5. Madalyn Morris, Aug, 5-0; 6. Shona DeSaye, BL, 5-0.
100 - 1. Toni Qunell, Ger, 12.69; 2. Ellie Kauffman, Vic, 12.79; 3. Annaliesa Fauth, Oph, 13.04; 4. Alex Baldwin, Cul, 13.322; 5. Brittany Olson, GR, 13.323; 6. Calle Swandal, SV, 13.35.
400 - 1. Toni Qunell, Ger, 58.96; 2. Rachel Clark, Ger, 59.61; 3. Annaliesa Fauth, Oph, 1:00.04; 4. Brianne Wolfe, Che, 1:01.12; 5. Shersteen Cline, Big. 1:01.87; 6. Mariah Litton, Fro, 1:02.41.
200 - 1. Toni Qunell, Ger, 25.81; 2. Ellie Kauffman, Vic, 26.04; 3. Annaliesa Fauth, Oph, 26.31; 4. Rachel Clark, Ger, 26.56; 5. Mariah Litton, Fro, 27.13; 6. Brittney Kolstad, Che, 27.44.
1,600 - 1. Jayme Larson, Oph, 5:21.44; 2. Jill Johnson, Che, 5:36.37; 3. Christy Pletan, Har, 5:37.61; 4. Amberlie Williams, Abs, 5:39.18; 5. Caitlyn Kynast, Abs, 5:44.20; 6. Michelle Melton, Den, 5:45.48.
Javelin - 1. Natalie Woolard, Phl, 129-6; 2. Lindsey Nichols, TB, 127-2; 3. Lauren McDonald, Phl, 125-9; 4. Marissa Clark, Ger, 122-9; 5. Shona DeSaye, BL, 118-4; 6. Cayla Wruck, Har, 117-0.
Shot put - 1. Alli Jones, Har, 43-2; 2. Amanda Muphy, Cha, 28-7; 3.Shalie Tommerup, Sco, 37-10; 4. Kama Urton, Cir, 35-6; 5. Cayla Wruck, Har, 34-3; 6., Brooke Zent, Hys, 33-7.
1,600 relay - 1. Ger, 4:08.81; 2. Chester 4:10.82; 3. Fromberg 4:13.83; 4. Harlowton 4:15.99; 5. 5. Opheim, 4:19.27; 6 Blue Sky/J-I, 4:19.33.
Triple jump - 1. Ashley Grammens, BL, 36-7; 2. Ellie Kauffman, Vic, 36-3; 3. Whitney Baum, HW, 34-; 4. Maria Sundsted, Wes, 33-10; 5. Andi Wilham, Cen, 33-; 6. Alissa Klose, FV, 33-.
