By Tiffany L. Rehbein
Freshman Kim Berg and junior Joey Stuart were high-point getters during this year's track and field season for the KG KouGars, announced officials at the spring sports awards, held at KG Schools two weeks ago.
Stuart had a successful season, helping to lead KG to their second-straight State Class C boys' title.
He claimed an individual title in the long jump, leaping 20-7 1/2 at state.
Stuart put himself into the KouGar record books in the triple jump with a jump of 43-7 1/4, which he set at the Northern Divisional meet at Great Falls. The former record was held by Rhett Crites (43-5, 1999).
Berg, during her first season of varsity competition, also blazed her way into the KouGar record books in the javelin.
Berg, who placed fifth at state, had a personal-best throw of 137 feet, three inches, which she set at the divisional meet. She replaced Tammy Swinney in the record books (107-1, 1989).
Berg set a meet record at the District 9C meet at Havre in the javelin with a toss of 116-11 1/2.
Other highlights of the season included distance runner Aaron Smith. The sophomore never finished less than second place in either the 1,600 or 3,200 meters. He placed second in both at state.
Smith also set a new meet record at districts in the 1,600 (4:36.2).
Eric Marshall, a senior, set a new district meet record in the 100 meters with a time of 11.1. That time also put him in the KG High School record books, breaking another of Crites' times (11.2, 1999).
Fourteen athletes earned Academic All-State awards.
TRACK
GIRLS
Letterwinners: Marisa Hanson, Becky Henry, Kristin Preeshl, Lindsey Johnson, Ashley Melby, Malissa Williams, Darci Stewart, Kim Berg.
Participants: Brooke Letang, Lauren Hanson, Celeste Nordrum, Sasha Haugen.
High-point girl: Kim Berg.
Academic All-State: Marisa Hanson, Becky Henry, Lindsey Johnson, Kristin Preeshl, Ashley Melby, Malissa Williams, Kim Berg.
BOYS
Letterwinners: Jared Miller, Virgil Stewart, Eric Hanson, Eric Marshall, Jared Dees, Justin Antonich, Joey Stuart, Justin Simenson, Roger Larson, Robbie Gomke, Kyle Reynolds, Chris Clements, Tel Sterner, Deven Donoven, Aaron SMith, Thomas Marshall, Tyler Kapperud, Casey Crites, Eric Engebretson, Chase Rambo.
Participants: Tristan Vukasin, Keith Reynolds, Kyle Donoven, Joey Fallo, Scott Dees, Matt Aageson.
Academic All-State: Eric Hanson, Jared Miller, Justin Antonich, Jared Dees, Justin Simenson, Joey Stuart, Casey Crites, Tyler Kapperud.
High-point: Joey Stuart.
