By Kent Dolezal
by Kent Dolezal
Thursday, May 20
With this weekends Central A divisional track and field event being Havres last home contest, 10 seniors will be wearing the Blue Pony blue and white for the last time in competition.
At the close of any endeavor, one usually takes time to reflect. The Blue Pony senior thinclads are no different.
Laura Watson, who will run the 200-meter dash and the 400- and 800-meter runs along with both relays, said her greatest track accomplishment was running the 200 in 26.6 seconds and receiving the Jim Hagener award.
Watson would like to be a state placer in all her events this year, and she plans on working in Florida at the end of July.
I will miss all the friends I have made, and all the great fans that came to support our team, especially my parents, Watson said.
Jarrod Wirt will take to the oval in both relays and the 100 and 400. He said he will miss eating sticky buns on the way to state.
He tells future Blue Pony tracksters to stay in shape, and run until you cant feel your legs.
Wirt will be attending Carroll College next fall and playing football, and said that when he looks back in the future he will know that I ran when I didnt have to.
Matt Kegel said his future entails ripping it up in the PAC-10. Kegel will do his ripping in the jersey of Washington State Universitys football team.
Thirty years down the road, Ill look back and remember how much I hated the 400 before the race, and how much I loved it when it was over, Kegel said. Ill also be proud.
Kegel said his greatest track accomplishments include going over 45 feet in the triple jump and running below :52 in the 400.
My fondest memory will be eating prime rib courtesy of coach Ita after I break the divisional record, Kegel said.
Steve Wilson, who will be attending Oregon State University in the fall, says his keys to success are keeping one goal in mind, hard work and keeping a good attitude.
Wilson will run both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles and be part of the 1600-meter relay, and in this years post season he is looking to place in state in those events.
Although at times, I tell myself I dont like track. I will look back and be glad I participated, Wilson said.
Shot putter and discus thrower Jeramie Robinson said his most treasured memory is being able to throw for coach Steckel last year.
Robinson said placing in the Top Ten meet was his greatest accomplishment so far, he wants to place at state and put the shot 50 feet.
I am going to the University of Montana to study psychology, and maybe walk on to the track team, Robinson said.
Melony ONeal is another discus and shot put competitor and said her greatest accomplishment was making the varsity.
When all of us were trying the high jump, ONeal says, telling of her fondest memory, one of the boys missed the Porta-Pit and landed on the ground.
ONeal said her key is to keep trying, even when I am not doing well.
ONeal will continue her education in college next fall with a major in biology. She would like to eventually work for the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, hopefully in Glacier Park.
Shot putter Corey Mowen said, Since this is my first year throwing, to do as well as I have is my biggest accomplishment.
Mowen said it was fun while it lasted, and he will attend Wyoming Tech this fall.
Mowen said he will miss meeting people and the bus trips were his fondest memory.
Shaylee OConnell will represent the Blue Ponies in the discus and the shot put.
I wont miss the McDonalds after every track meet, but I will miss the friends I made on the bus trips, OConnell said.
OConnell would like to place at state this post season and said the keys to success are intensity and my coaches motivation.
I will look at (track) as a great learning experience, OConnell said. It has taught me to work hard and to stay disciplined.
OConnell will continue her track career next year at the University of Mary in Bismark, N.D. She will major in special education.
Ryan Evans will compete in all three jumping events.
Evans said he hopes his fondest memory is yet to come this post season.
The competition and the dead feeling in my legs after jumping are what Evans said he will miss.
Evans said the teams divisional championships his junior year and his personal title in the long jump are his greatest accomplishments.
Evans said hardwork and determination are the keys to success. When he looks back at this time in the future, Evans said he will remember great times, great competition and great friends.
Evans plans on attending the University of Montana in the fall and perhaps continuing his track and field career there.
Steve Keeler, who will compete in the javelin, long jump and triple jump, said, Ill miss the coaches, bus trips, the track meets and messing around with my boys at practice.
Keeler says success revolves around just working hard and having fun.
Keeler wants to place in divisionals this post season and compete well at state.
Ill always look back on these times and remember the great moments, Keeler said.
Keeler plans to go to college and enjoy life.
