By Tiffany L. Rehbein
One week ago, the Chester Coyotes walked away with two divisional trophies the 10th straight earned by the boys and the fourth-straight by the girls.
With 23 kids advancing to the Class C Northern Divisional, both will have the opportunity to snatch another at the track meet on Thursday at Memorial Stadium in Great Falls.
"At districts, the kids performed really well," Chester coach Bill Schlepp said. "The boys and girls performed about where we expected them to and we're looking forward to competing at divisional."
Four different meet records were shattered by three different girls last week at the District 10C meet.
Carlane Jensen broke two records, one in the javelin which she had set herself last season. Jensen won the event with a toss of 134-1, surpassing her old record of 115-8 set in 1999. She leads the Class C in the event across the state with a personal-best toss of 134-6.
Jensen also set a new meet record in the triple jump at 35 feet one inch. She also placed first in the discus (108-11) and shot put (33-8 1/2).
"She has been doing an excellent job for us in the throws and jumps," Schlepp said.
Michele Van Dyke tied her own meet record in the high jump at 5-2. Van Dyke leads the state in all classes in the event, with a personal-best jump of 5-6 1/2.
She is also a point-getter in the 400 meters, 800 meters, and triple jump.
Maci Tempel has been strong on the track, placing first in the 200 (28.25), 300-meter hurdles (49.24), and 400 (63.96).
"I think the girls have an excellent shot at winning the divisional trophy, but those three have to come through with big points for us," Schlepp said.
Emily Tranberg is also a big point-getter for the Coyotes. Tranberg placed first in the 100-meter hurdles, setting a new meet record in the race (16.78). She also placed first in the pole vault (7-0).
Debbie Brown and Hannah Brown should collect some points in the distance races for Chester, while Julie Martin, Jamie Graham, and Heidi Cicon gather points in the jumps and the sprints.
Katy Engstrom is tough in the 800, also, placing first in with a time of 2:32.78.
The Big Sandy Pioneers pose the toughest competition to Chester, while Grass Range and Belt could also do well.
On the boys' side, the Coyotes are paced by Jeff Graham in the hurdles and 400, and Scott Riggin in the sprints.
The Coyotes also rely heavily upon their relays for some points.
"They have got to get the big points there," Schlepp said.
Chester won both relays at the district meet.
Zeb Engstrom in the throws, Brent Clark in the jumps, and Sean Weinert and Colt Diemert in the middle distance could also look to do well.
"Our goal is to advance as many as we can to the state track meet," Schlepp said.
While KG is the obvious favorite, second place to fall to Centerville, Chester, Belt, or Power pretty easily.
"We just need to perform better than the week before," Schlepp said. "If we can improve and compete at the level that I think we can, we'll be tough."
