Plenty of local talent at State C

The state track meet presents teams with the biggest challenge they face all year long. And like many years past, the Hi-Line has several teams, and individuals with the skill to do very well this weekend.

Today and Saturday, athletes from Chester/J-I, North Star, Box Elder, North Star, Big Sandy and Chinook will compete in Laurel at the Class C state track and field meet.

North Star's Lisa Carlon flies through the air in the long jump. Carlon and the North Star girls will look to win their second straight Class C state championship this weekend in Laurel.

A year ago, the North Star Knights captured the girls' team title, a huge milestone for the Knights, and Rudyard as a community. Charlo won the boys title last season, and will most likely be near the top again, as they won the Northern C in dominating fashion this year. Belt and the Chinook Sugarbeeter could also push for boys' team titles, while girls teams like Seeley-Swan and Belt will push for team titles. Belt knocked off the Knights for the Northern C girls' title this year in Great Falls.

This year, if the Knights want to reclaim the girls title, they need to get good production from all of their top competitors.

Tylynn Rettig is top in the state in the 100 meters, the 200, and the pole vault. Rettig is in the top three of 100 runners with a personal best of 13.0, and has also turned in a time of 27.68 in the 200 , putting her in the top 10 in the state. The pole vault is her best event, as she has cleared as high as 9-3 this season. Only one girl in the state has bested Rettig, giving her a very good chance of winning an individual pole vault title this weekend. Lisa Carlon is also amongst the best of the best. Carlon is in the top four in the long jump and triple jump this year. Bettie Carlon won the triple jump last season at state, and will compete again this year, challenging competitors in the long jump, triple jump, and 100, as she too will help lead the Knights.

Delainey Spicher will also compete in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles, while Darah Yanni will compete in the pole vault.

Chinook will be led by Hannah Weber, Emily Dennis, and Britney Nelson. Weber is amongst the best 800-meter runners in the state, but will also compete in the 1,600. Dennis has recorded the second best triple jump distance in the state, jumping over 34-2, and Nelson has the potential to place in the shot put, throwing close to 34 feet. Nelson will also compete in the discus, while Makhayla Farmer will compete in the shot put, discus, and javelin, and Tavin Schneider will compete in the shot put at discus.

The Hawks and Pioneers also have a handful of girls that can earn points this weekend.

C/J-I will lean on Brittnee Theel and Kate Graff for points. Theel has a chance to earn points in the 100 and 300 hurdles, while Graff will push for points in the pole vault. Graff will also compete in the high jump, while Theel will compete in the long jump. Kaylie Gilman will be the loan Big Sandy individual girl at state this year, and will compete in the high jump.

In the boys field, the Beeters have the best opportunity to push for a top team spot.

The Beeters' Dylan Surber is the best 100-meter sprinter in the state, and can take first this weeend with a solid performance. He is also amongst the top four in the state in the 400 and high jump, and could find his way to the podium in three different events. Geoff Qualls can also earn points in the high jump and long jump, while Zach Molyneaux could very well place in the shot put and discus if he continues to improve on his already impressive numbers. Molyneaux will also run the 100, and throw the javelin, while Qualls will run the 300 hurdles, and Ty Simenson will run the 200-meter.

There won't be any team titles awarded to Box Elder, North Star, C/J-I or Big Sandy this weekend, but they still have some boys who can score points.

Will Ketchum has been one of the best 800, 1,600, and 3,200 runners all season long, and will compete in each this weekend for the Bears. And for the Knights, Cooper Spicher (tirple jump, long jump, and 110 hurdles) and Quinn Spinler (pole vault) will also compete. The Hawks will also send Erik Kelly (110 hurdles and pole vault) and Justin May (triple jump) to Laurel this weekend, while the Pioneers will send Kaden Beck in the shot put. Beck has thrown as far as 48 feet this season, the second furthest throw in all of Class C action. Beck has a very good chance at winning a state title for the Pioneers. Trevor Lackner will also compete in the high jump for Big Sandy.

Team titles may be hard to come by this weekend for a lot of the area programs, but they do represent the Hi-Line with a lot of individual talent. And if they can continue to perform at a high level, the Knights, Pioneers, Beeters, Bears, and Hawks all have an opportunity to earn points this weekend in Laurel.

The Class C state track meet will run Friday and Saturday in Laurel.