By Rob Everingham
MISSOULA The Chester Coyotes tied for third place at this past weekends Class C state track and field meet in Missoula.
The biggest finish of the afternoon came from four athletes, Ryan Gagnon, Sean Weinert, Eric Kleinsasser and Jeff Graham, as the Chester 1600-meter relay took the gold with a time of 3 minutes 28.32 seconds.
Gagnon said after the race that he was pleased they got the win in the relay, but he was a little disappointed they did not win the team title.
We though we had a chance at taking first since the beginning of the year, Gagnon said.
Gagnon said they were looking for a time this good last weekend at divisionals, but they worked very hard to get it done this week.
In the 400 relay, Chester took second place behind Park City with a time of 44.61.
Following the race, Brent Riggin said the rivalry with KG was very good, KG finished third behind the Coyotes. Riggin said between the school they have some of the best athletes in the state.
Individually for the Coyotes, Graham finished third in the 300 hurdles with a 40.32. Graham also took fourth in the 400 with a mark of 51.33.
In the javelin, Kleinsasser took fourth with a throw of 182 feet 8 inches after throwing over 200-0 at divisionals. Lance Evans also picked up some points for the Coyotes in the javelin, as he took sixth with a throw of 173-0.
Finally on the boys side, Riggin took sixth in the 200 with a :23.33.
The Chester girls team came out 10th in the team standings.
Michele VanDyke took third place in the high jump by clearing 5-2.
VanDyke said she had cleared 5-4 twice during the season.
Im a little disappointed, but I have three years left, VanDyke said.
The 1600-relay team for the Chester girls also took third place with a time of 4:15.90.
Other finishers for the Coyotes were Carlane Jensen, who took fourth in the javelin with a throw of 119-11. Also, Hannah Brown took sixth in the 3200 with a time of 13:02.57
Chester coach Bill Schlepp was unavailable for comment. Schlepp will spend the week in Butte preparing to coach the Treasure State All-Star Class C football team.
Big Sandy continued with its pole vault power. Mace Mangold cleared 13-0 for second place. Mangold was beat out by Rafe Espinoza from Arlee. Also, Mangolds teammate Mark Nelson took fourth, clearing 12-0.
On the girls side for Big Sandy, Jenny Silvan finished fifth in the pole vault after clearing the bar when it was set at 9-0.
Blue Sky also picked up points at the state level, as Lindsey Letang finished fifth in the 1600 with a time of 5:36.42.
