Hi-Line track loaded with talented teams this spring

Havre High is not the only school getting track and field back after a missed year due to COVID-19. Teams across the Hi-Line from Harlem, Rocky Boy and the District 9C will return for track and field, so everyone should be excited.

"It is fantastic to be back out on the track," North Star head coach Brian Campbell said. "Track and field in the Northern C is just unlike anything else, tough competition and intense battles for the top spots. It should be a great season."

According to Campbell, one District 9C school that everyone should look out for is Fort Benton. One event that he expects the Longhorns to perform well in are the sprints as they have good sprinters in Billy Ullery, Nick Marias and Hayden Axtman. On the girls side, Fort Benton has top runners in Allie Wallace, Aspen Giese and Emerson Giese.

The Longhorns should have athletes dominate other events, as well. Marias is one of the better jumpers in the 9C and Jace Thompson should be a top pole vaulter. Abby Clark will be a top hurdler for the Longhorns and Cloe Kalanick and Maci Molinario will compete in throwing events.

"They have had the most recent success and they have more athletes out for the teams than anyone else," Campbell said. "They have to be favorites."

However, there are other athletes throughout the Hi-Line who can compete including members of Campbell's North Star squad that he believes can have success this season.

"The Knights outlook has to be pretty strong; we have good numbers out on both the boys and girls teams," Campbell said. "North Star has a rich track history and we look forward to working towards the end of the season meets and seeing where we can go."

On the boys side, Campbell believes that Jaden Sargent can have a strong season as a long distance runner for the Knights. On the girls side, Kenidee Wolery will compete in throwing events and Laynie Sattoriva will run mid-distance for the Knights.

Campbell believes there are many other athletes across the Hi-Line that can have a strong season. Toby Niederegger should have a good season as a runner for the Chinook boys team. He has already won some events this year taking first place in the 100 meters, 200 meters and high jump at the Cut Bank Booster Invitational this past Saturday.

Kade Strutz will compete for Big Sandy in the shot put and discus events. There is also Jayden Miller and Kinley Hamilton, who will compete in throwing events for the Chinook girls team.

The Cal Wearley Invitational, hosted by North Star, was scheduled for today, but was postponed according to Campebll. He said Tuesday that North Star is working with Hill County Health Department to get the meet approved at some point this season.

Some Hi-Line schools such as Chinook, CJI and Harlem have already begun their seasons in the Cut Bank Booster Invitational Saturday. On the girls side, CJI finsihed third, Chinook placed fifth and Harlem finished seventh. On the boys side, CJI and Chinook tied for fourth and Harlem finished eighth.

While other schools get ready to begin their season, everyone should be happy to be back.

"The weather has been terrific, the turnouts look pretty good at our schools and it is nice to just be back to work," Campbell said.