There are plenty of intriguing storylines from the upcoming high school track and field meets this weekend, weather permitting. The Missoula County Public Schools Invite, the Butte Invite, and the Billings Invitational highlight some of the must-see action. All three invites are scheduled for Saturday. This is the first weekend of large invitationals, as the weather has dampened the beginning of the season.
MCPS Invite at Missoula
- Some of the state’s premier sprinters will be on hand for potential showdowns. Ethan Larson of Kalispell Glacier, the state’s leader in the 100-meter dash, will likely square off with No. 2 Jace Klucewich of Frenchtown, a freshman with Class A’s fastest time in the event. Larson is the only sprinter to break 11 seconds this season.
- The girls will also potentially feature a showdown in the 100-meter dash. Dillon’s Tylia DeJohn holds the state’s fastest time in the 100, but she will likely be joined by teammate Hayle Sundquist, Missoula Big Sky’s Joylynn Glidewell, Missoula Sentinel’s Allie Baldwin-Case, and Frenchtown’s Alivia Williams in the event. These five sprinters all rank in the top 15 in the state.
- The field events are absolutely loaded. Glacier’s Hunter Nicholson and Mark Estes are ranked Nos. 2 and 4 in the state in long jump, and will likely be joined by No. 8 Elias DeWaters of Missoula Sentinel. Nicholson and DeWaters are currently tied for the Class AA lead in the triple jump, as well.
- The throwing events on the girls side will be the show to watch. The shot put will potentially feature the top five throwers in the state. Missoula Sentinel’s Aaliyah Woods, Madi Arneson and Emily Malone are Nos. 1, 2, and 4 in the state. They will likely be joined by No. 3 Jessica Thompson of Plains and No. 5 Brooke Kearns of Missoula Big Sky.
Billings Invitational at Billings West
- The boys shot put has intrigue, as it will potentially boast five of the top 10 throwers in the state. Sidney’s Carter Hughes, Billings West’s Landin Pabich and Carter Slade, Billings Senior’s Garrison Poetzl, and Huntley Project’s Trey Copeland are likely to square off.
- On the girls side, the sprints should be ultra-competitive. The 200-meter dash will likely feature eight of the state’s top 15 times. Billings West’s Maddie Albrecht, Willa Albrecht, and Ellie Scheffius will potentially be joined by Billings Central’s Kellan Wahl, Billings Senior’s Tavy Findon, Billings Skyview’s Breanne Fuller and Aleeya Derlatka, and Huntley Project’s Alana Graves.
- The 100-meter dash will be no different. It will potentially pit five of the top 11 sprinters against each other. Wahl, Maddie and Willa Albrecht, Fuller and Derlatka will likely square off in the premier sprinting event.
Butte Invite at Butte
- Defending Class AA 100-meter dash state champion Damien Nelson of Great Falls CMR will likely get an early-season test in the event. Ennis’ Corbin Wood is No. 2 amongst Class C runners, and Deer Lodge’s Tanner Jolly ranks fifth among Class B 100 times.
- The boys discus will potentially feature two of the state’s best. Deer Lodge’s Austin Forson, the current Class B state record holder in the event, will likely face off with Helena Capital’s Justin Jenks. Jenks currently has the third-best discus throw and the top shot put mark in the state.
