Girls, boys track looking for balance

Joe Terry

The boys and girls track and field teams will both be bringing back some experienced talent at the top of their ranks, while relying on some underclassmen on the young teams to fill in many of the empty spots.

Balance will be the key on the girls team, head coach John LaBonty said. Numbers are up from last year and barring injuries the girls will have speed on the track and plenty of girls in the throwing events.

Leading in the sprints will be Taylor Markle, Alyssa Sanders and Quinn Vaira will be expected to lead the Scotties in the sprints and hurdles. Vaira, who was on the relay teams last season, will also be the team leader in the hurdles after finishing sixth at State in the 300m hurdles and finishing third at divisionals in the 100m hurdles.

“I'm thinking we'll be fairly strong in the hurdles and fairly strong in the sprints,” LaBonty said. “I think both relay teams of the girls are going to be really strong.”

Jami Johnson, who ran mid- and long-distance races last season, is the only other state finisher returning for a girls squad that has a lot of talent in the jumping and throwing events that finished just off the podium.

“We're going to be a lot more balanced with the girls as far as filling out the events,” LaBonty said. 

For the boys, things are a little more up in the air. Most of the Divisional championship team from last season has either graduated or moved on, leaving the Scotties with a few core pieces and a host of young talent that will need to fill in the blanks.

Drew Croy is the top returning sprinter for the Scotties, finishing fifth in the 100m and sixth in the 200m at divisionals last season. 

LaBonty said he also expects big things from transfer Patrick Billingsley, a high jumper, and Tristan Schmitt, a thrower, each seniors who are very athletic.

The only returning placer from State last season will be Luke Zeiger, who finished sixth in the pole vault, clearing 11' 6” in Kalispell.

“(Zeiger) shows a lot of promise as a pole vaulter,” LaBonty said.

The teams start the season on April 1 at the Northeastern Invitational in Wolf Point.