By Rob Everingham
It will be a battle.
The KG and Chester boys teams will battle it out this weekend for the top spot in the state, as they compete at the 1999 Class C track meet in Missoula.
KG edged out the Coyotes in the Northern C divisional meet, but both teams have a shot at the title this weekend.
For the KouGars, Rhett Crites will be going in the 100-meter dash, long jump, triple jump and high jump. Jake Stuart will be competing in the 400, javelin, and high jump. The KouGars load the 1600 and 3200 races this weekend with brothers Travis and Trevor Stehman as well as Eric Hanson and Aaron Smith. Joey Stuart will also be traveling to state for KG in the 300 hurdles, long jump and triple jump. KG will also be sending teams in both the 400 and 1600 relay teams.
The KG girls team will be taking just two athletes. Christin Smith is in the 1600 and 3200 and Jenny Jorgenson will be competing in the 300 hurdles, long jump and triple jump.
KG coach Paul Anderson said the KouGars are shooting for first place after taking second at state last year. Anderson did add though that it will be a very tight race.
It should be a good match-up, Anderson said.
After three state titles this year for KG, Anderson said the seniors and all the other athletes want to finish this season on top as well.
They would like to win four, Anderson said.
Chester will be tough as well, as it brings in a host of athletes. Brent Riggin will compete in the 100, 200 and long jump. Jeff Graham has qualified himself in the 400 and 300 hurdles. The Coyotes also have Eric Kleinsasser competing in the discus and javelin, plus teams in both the 400 and 1600 relay teams.
On the girls side for the Coyotes ,Marci Temple has qualified in the 400, along with Katy Engstrom. Carly VanDyke qualified in the 1600, and Hannah Brown will be competing in the 3200. In the 100 hurdles, Megan Mattson will be going to state. Annie Diemert and Carlene Jensen will both be competing in the discus, and Jensen will also be in the javelin and high jump competition. Also in the high jump, Michele VanDyke qualified for state. Both relay teams also qualified on the girls side.
Chester coach Bill Schlepp said his team is looking forward to the state meet. Schlepp said he knows that the team title will come down to KG and Chester. Schlepp said Riggin needs to be healthy and have a good day for the Coyotes to stay with KG. Both school have had their success this year in football and basketball.
Weve battled with KG all year and and we have to do it one more time, Schlepp said.
Big Sandy will be taking their two outstanding pole vaulters on the boys side in Mark Nelson and Mace Mangold. Ross Runnoin will also be attending state after qualifying in the 800.
Jenny Silvan will lead the Pioneers girls team in the pole vault and 300 hurdles. Along with Silvan in the pole vault will be Jessica Curl. Also Kristie Upham will be running the 200 at state. Eryn Darlington qualified in the 800. Kate Bitz took fifth in the 1600 and will move on to state. In the 3200, Sasha Ritter will be representing Big Sandy at the state meet. The Pioneers 1600-relay team qualified for the meet.
Blue Sky has three athletes going to state. Reed Peterson qualified himself in the high jump. Carlye Redding will be competing in the long jump and triple jump. Finally, Lindsey Letang will be competing in the 800 and 1600.
Blue Sky coach Bill Mulvaney said the Eagles are very excited. Mulvaney said all three of his athletes have shots at placing at the state meet. Redding and Letang both were at state last year, and Letang took sixth in the 800.
The final school will be Turner. The Tornadoes qualified Brandon Sparks in the 110 hurdles and W.K. Sanguins in the javelin.
