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One more time at home for Havre High tracksters

The Havre High track and field team does not have much time left before postseason competition begins later this month, with only two meets left, including the Havre Invite this Saturday at Havre Middle School Track.

While HHS head coach Ryan Gatch hopes his athletes can win some events this Saturday, he is also looking forward to seeing his team compete at home for the final time this season.

"Nice to have a home meet again and nice to fly under the Havre Blue Pony flag," Gatch said. "Be at home and represent our school and our families and our community in the Blue Pony fashion that is in the tradition of excellence."

Unlike the past several meets, the Havre Invite will be a small meet with only 10 teams competing. Local area schools that Havre will compete against include Big Sandy, Box Elder, North Star, Rocky Boy, Chester-Joplin-Inverness and Fort Benton. Other schools at the meet include Browning, Cut Bank and Shelby. Despite facing some stiff competition, Gatch believes the most difficult opponent his athletes will need to overcome will be themselves.

"I look forward to the Havre team competing against themselves," Gatch said. "I'm looking at us staying focused on what their event process is and then their ability to be able to compete at a high level."

Several Ponies will be looking to continue their strong individual seasons such as senior Nolan Lotton in his final home meet. Lotton has won the 200-meter sprint every time he has competed in the event this season. He has also won the 100 six straight times and is coming off a win in the 400 in the North/East Top 10 meet on Tuesday.

Dylan Young will also be competing in his final home meet as a Pony, so he looks to go out on a high note. He has finished in the top three every time he has competed in the 1,600 this season, including two wins in the event.

Havre should also have many athletes on their girl's team have strong showings. Loy Waid look to continue her strong seasons in the 100 and 200. Kyanna Jarvis will compete in the 100-meter hurdles and high jump where she has had success this season.

Sadie Filius may also compete in the Havre Invite if she is healthy; she has been dealing with a nagging leg injury this season. If she is healthy enough, she will most likely compete in the 300-meter hurdles and long jump which are events she has won numerous times this season.

The Havre girl's relay teams will also look to continue their strong seasons. The 400 relay team will be looking for their fifth win in the event this season while the 1,600 relay team will compete for their fourth win this season. Outside of the events his athletes are favored in, Gatch looks forward to seeing how all his athletes do this weekend.

"I'm looking forward to all of our Blue Ponies getting out there and having a great day," Gatch said.

Gatch also needs to make sure his top athletes are physically ready for this weekend after competing in the North/East Top 10 meet Tuesday. In order to help them recover, he gave them the day off Wednesday to rest before returning to training.

After Saturday's meet, the Ponies will only have one meet left in the season in the Sidney Twilight. They will then move onto postseason competition where they will compete for divisional and state titles. Gatch believes that this weekend's Havre Invite will be important for his athletes because it will show them the urgency of a late-season push.

"It shows our kids we got to stay focused," Gatch said. "Here's the light at the end of the tunnel, here's where the divisional and state meets are and then they know it's time to keep performing."

The Ponies will compete in the Havre Invite at Havre Middle School Saturday starting at 11 a.m. The Ponies head to Sidney next week.

 

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