LAUREL — A pair of Laurel seniors stand atop Class A’s track and field lists after strong performances at the Laurel Tuesday track and field meet. Chris Abell posted Class A’s top time in the 110-meter hurdles, while Levi Taylor ran the fastest 800-meter run to date.
Abell finished third at last year’s State A meet in the 110 hurdles but has quickly established himself as this year’s favorite. Abell crossed the line in 15.25 seconds on Tuesday night and is one of just three Class A hurdlers under 16 seconds this season. Whitefish’s Lee Walburn has Class A’s second-best time at 15.57.
Taylor, who won both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs at last spring’s State A meet, finds himself atop Class A in all three distance running events. His times in the 1,600 and 3,200 are from the Arcadia Invitational in Los Angeles, where Taylor faced some of the nation’s best competition. On Tuesday night Taylor ran the 800 and became the first Montana runner this season to eclipse the two-minute mark, crossing in 1 minute, 59.39 seconds.
Taylor and Abell helped Laurel cruise to the team title on Tuesday night, as the Locomotives finished with 189 points. Second-place Park City finished with 82.
Laurel’s girls also cruised to victory, racking up 169 points to second-place Columbus’ 101. The Class B Cougars, though, were impressive in the sprints once again. RaiLeigh Strommen picked up wins in the 100-meter dash (13.36), 200-meter dash (28.04) and finished third in the 400-meter dash.
Strommen’s teammates finished well in the sprints, too, as Amber LeBrun finished second in the 200 and fourth in the 100, Hannah Obert finished second in the 400 and Baylynn Nelson finished fourth in the 400. The Columbus girls also won both relay races.
For full results click here.
