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A Blue Pony jumps her way to Missoula

Sammy Evans has been working on leaving her mark on Havre High for the last four years. Now heading into her senior track and field season, Evans still has a couple of loose ends to tie up before advancing to the collegiate ranks.

Evans has excelled on the Blue Pony track team since stepping on the prep scene as a freshman. Her times and numbers have garnered a

Havre High's Sammy Evans makes a leap in the long jump during a dual meet last May at the Havre Middle School Track. Evans recently signed to compete on the University of Montana Track women's track and field team, where she could run and participate in multiple events as a Lady Griz. Evans begins her senior season as one of the top prep track and field athletes in all of Montana when the Blue Ponies travel to Lewistown this weekend.

lot of attention from local and statewide fans, and now from the likes of collegiate scouts and coaches. Evans has announced her signing with the University of Montana in Missoula, making her the latest Hi-Line standout to join the Grizzlies' successful track and field program.

"There were a couple of other colleges that contacted me," Evans said. "But I just like Missoula and the University of Montana in general a lot better than the other places. Plus they have a physical therapy program, so that was perfect for me and my decision."

Other programs contacted Evans as well, including Minot State University in North Dakota and Carroll College. But her plans to major in physical therapy made the decision to attend college in Missoula relatively easy. Physical therapy gives Evans a career to look forward to later down the road, but also keeps her in or near the world of sports when she graduates. Not having a desk job has also made physical therapy intriguing Evans said.

While at Havre High, Evans found a lot of great success during the spring sports season.

Evans has qualified for the state meet the last three years, and is hoping to do so again as a senior. It is no secret that Evans' best events are the triple jump, high jump and long jump, but her work on the track has also played a role.

She was named the Ponies' MVP her sophomore and junior season, and even placed at the Class A state meet in the triple jump her sophomore year. Evans finished in second place. But to top off an already impressive resume, Evans also holds the Havre High School school record, as well as the Top 10 meet record for the triple jump with an impressive mark of 36-7.

Once in a Griz uniform, Evans will look to continue her success in running, as well as her dominating jumping events. Possibly, Evans will also take part in the Heptathlon, competing in seven events over two days. Some of the events include the 800-meter run, as well as the high jump and javelin. But no matter the variety of events, Evans will always look forward to jumping over running.

"I would always rather jump than run at meets," Evans said. "I don't get nervous jumping like I do running because you get three tries. It's not like running events, where if you mess up you are instantly done for."

But before Evans can make the college ranks, she still has her senior season ahead of her. She has always dreamt about competing in college, and that dream has come true. On one hand, Evans can relax this season, knowing her ticket to the next level is punched, but on the other hand, Evans said she also knows how important it is to keep performing well, knowing her progress, marks and times are being watched.

"I am ready and excited to compete this season," Evans said. "But I am also excited to get through it and move onto college."

 

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