HHS's Van Voast will keep running

Last weekend at the state A track and field meet, Havre High senior Ashlynn Van Voast left her mark on the Blue Pony program.

But being a notable name in Havre High athletics over the last four years, Van Voast has left marks in several different programs, and will now look to do the same thing at the collegiate level.

Van Voast has been a major contributor to Blue Pony athletics for four solid years.

Most recently, Van Voast is coming off of a stellar track and field season. She was a senior leader for the girls team all season long, and turned in some impressive times. And at the state meet, Van Voast placed fifth in the 800-meter run with a tim

Havre High's Ashlynn Van Voast runs in the girls 800 meters at the Central A Divisional track meet last month in Havre. Van Voast will continue her track and field career at MSU-Billings next school year. She'll also run cross country for the NCAA Division II Yellowjackets. Van Voast placed in the 800 at last weekend's Class A state track meet in Bozeman. She was also a standout in cross country the last two seasons.

e of 2:29.27. Van Voast was a star on the track for all four years, but also played volleyball her freshman and sophomore year, played basketball for three years, ran cross country the last two years and was a Blue Pony cheerleader this year.

Van Voast has been a standout female athlete for the Ponies, and will now take her athleticism to MSU-Billings, where she will major in physical therapy, run cross country, and run indoor and outdoor track.

Schools like Dickenson State were also on the table, but Van Voast liked the fit in Billings. Physical therapy was an important factor, she gets to keep running and the campus is still close enough to home.

"And I like the town," Van Voast added. I looked at other places like Dickenson, but that was just too far away. I think it will be hard (running and focusing on school), but it will be fun. It sounds like it will be a lot, but the coach also told me it isn't as hard as it sounds. I just didn't want to go anywhere without a sport. Yes I will focus on my education, but I also didn't want to be done running yet."

Sports propelled Van Voast through her four-year prep career, and will play a role in her life moving forward. Yes, she gets to run for the next four years, but physical therapy will also keep her involved in the sports world after her colligate career comes to an end.

"I have been wanting to focus on physical therapy for a while now," Van Voast said. "That will keep me related to kids and sports, and will just keep me more involved."

While running for the Yellowjackets, Van Voast is hoping to make her mark there as well. Along side cross country, she will also attempt to run hurdles, the 800-meter and the steeple chase for the NCAA DII track team. Van Voast isn't above trying other events as well, but the coaches have been leaning towards these set events, and she happens to agree.

"I think that will be a good combination," Van Voast said. "With me running distance as well as hurdles. I think it will take some time, but I hope to get my times down and just keep improving a lot. I think it will be good to get more one on one time with coaches and just more time to work with them."

Havre High has churned out a lot of standout athletes over the years, and has sent a lot of those same top-notch athletes to the college ranks. Van Voast is the most recent to be added to the elite group, and will look to be a standout name at MSU-Billings for the next four years.