Bigfork track and field teams compete with quality, not quantity

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

"We don't have a lot of numbers, but we have quality athletes," Bigfork track and field coach Sue Loeffler said after the Vikings and Valkyries traveled to the Nelson-Thomas ABC track meet in Polson on May 10.

Bigfork demonstrated its quality athletes in numerous events and via both upper and underclassmen.

Senior Andrew Whittaker led the Vikes, placing in three events. The defending Class A state 100-meter dash champion knocked almost two-tenths of a second off his previous best with an 11.22 finish in the 100-meter finals. Whittaker finished the 200 in 22.9 seconds. He was fourth in the pole vault, clearing 12-6.

"Andrew ran real well," Loeffler said.

First-year track athlete Roland Benedict notched third-place finishes in both the long jump and triple jump in Polson. His jump of 19-11.5 was just two-and-a-half inches shorter than the second place jump. Benedict's triple jump came up two-and-a-half inches short of second place as well. He finished that event with a jump of 40-4.5.

Garrett Pewe showed his range of abilities at the meet. He placed third in the high jump and sixth in the 400-meter run. Pewe cleared 6-0 in the high jump and clocked a time of 54.93 in the 400.

Rounding out the Vikes was Donny Tudahl. He threw 145-3 in the discus and placed third. Bigfork's boys finished fifth as a team with 49 points.

"The kids who placed at Polson have a chance to place at divisionals," Bigfork coach Nate Hammond said. "A few kids have a shot. They've thrown well enough. They just have to have a good day."

Included in those who have a chance at qualifying for state are Zac Bruer in javelin, shot and discus, Brad Bell in javelin, Garrett Hibbs and Quinci Paine in javelin and Cecily Whistler in discus. Bruer notched a personal best with his javelin throw of 142-5 in Polson. His throw was 26 feet better than his previous best. Whistler also recorded a personal best at the ABC meet. She placed sixth in the discus with her throw of 91-5.

Multiple Vals placed in multiple events on Saturday, giving Bigfork a sixth-place, 40.5 team finish.

The Vals made up half of the placers in the 100-meter dash finals. Jill Hamilton led the charge with teammates Jen Egdorf and Hattie Bowen right behind her. Hamilton finished third in 13.6 seconds, while Egdorf was fourth with 13.68 and Bowen fifth in 13.77. Those same three runners, along with Paine ran a 53.78 for sixth place in the 400-meter relay.

"Jill really stepped up," Loeffler said.

Egdorf and Bowen placed in two more events each. Egdorf edged out Bowen for fifth place in the 200. She clocked a time of 28.6 seconds. Bowen finished in 28.8. Egdorf also placed fifth in the long jump. She jumped 14-2.5 feet. Bowen cleared 4-8 in the high jump for fourth place. Alyssa Fierro claimed second place in the high jump, as she cleared 5-0.

Paine, Brittany Hall, Kayla Carlson and Taylor Schiltz ran the 1,600-meter relay. They also placed sixth in a time of 4:26.53. Paine and Carlson had their individual successes as well. Paine placed fifth in the 800-meter run and Carlson was second in the 1,600. Paine ran a 2:34.74, while Carlson clocked a 5:21.65.

"Kayla ran a really smart race," Loeffler said.

The Vikes and Vals compete at the Northwestern A Divisional Track and Field meet in Whitefish tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday (May 16-17). Field events begin at 3 p.m. tomorrow and track events begin at 3:30 p.m.