Blue Ponies run in Belgrade

Typically, the Belgrade meet is a great place for a Central A track and field team to get an extensive look at the conference, as well as their own times and marks. But with the District 7 Music Festival also being held this weekend in Havre, the Blue Ponies will attend the meet without a huge chunk of their squad.

Saturday the Ponies are scheduled to compete against a tough field in Belgrade. And with teams like Belgrade, Lewistow

Havre High's Jennifer Nordgulen makes an attempt in the long jump during HHS's dual meet with Great Falls on Tuesday in Havre. The Pony track teams are in a busy stretch of competitions, starting with the Belgrade Invitational on Saturday. Havre also travels to the Malta Invite on Tuesday.

n, Livingston, Butte Central and Manhattan typically in attendance, the Blue Ponies that do make the trip, can expect to be tested.

HHS hasn't had the opportunity to compete at the Belgrade meet since two seasons ago. Last year the Ponies were snowed out and had to cancel the trip. And two seasons ago the boys placed fourth, while the girls placed fifth.

And this season, while it would be nice to take the entire boys' and girls' teams, the music festival has taken some of the Ponies top talent.

The distance runners have really dwindled this weekend, leaving Peyton FIlius to carry the load, while runners like Marc Klimas and Derek VanDessel will remain in Havre for the music festival. Garrett Aguillard is still nursing an injury, and should be back in action by the time the Ponies travel to Malta on Tuesday.

The last count showed about 15 to 20 Ponies making heading to Belgrade on Saturday. And that means the Points from the likes of Sammy Evans, Thurman Holdsclaw, Ashlynn VanVoast and Mason Case will be extremely important if the Ponies home place near the top of the pack.

The Ponies will be in Belgrade on Saturday, and will have a short turnaround, as they will also be in Malta to compete on Tuesday.