Columbia Falls thinclads post fast times, good marks at Flathead Time Trials

Eleven boys and nine girls were place winners in individual events for Columbia Falls High School at the Flathead Time Trials on Tuesday at Legends Stadium in Kalispell. The non-scoring meet was the first action of the season for the C-Falls thinclads.

"A lot of good things happened," C-Falls head coach Jamie Heinz said. "Some freshman boys and younger kids showed what they can do."

Heinz said the effort of the day was turned in by Kodiak Gimbel. The sophomore cleared 6 feet in the high jump, placing fifth. The coach also singled out junior Kyle Howell, who earned fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 39 feet, 4 inches.

Sophomore Kaleb Johnson was the top finisher for the Wildcat boys. He earned second place in the 400-meter dash with a time of 54.14 seconds.

Senior Stephen Baumgartner placed in two events – third in the 100 (11.51) and fifth in the 200 (24.10).

The Wildcats had four place winners in distance events. Patric Jessat ran to third in the 800 (2:10.8), where Shawn Whitman was fourth (2:11.56). Derrick Williams was fifth in the 400 (55.75), and Justin Whitman place fifth in the 1,600 (5:03).

Heinz said the Wildcats had great first-meet times in the 800.

Whitefish's Drew Cocco won both the 1,600 (4:34.33) and 3,200 (9:56.36).

C-Falls was fourth in the 1,600 relay (3:41.06) with Michael Kruse, Jessat, Michael Williams and Johnson. The Wildcats were fifth in the 400 relay (46.43).

Leading the way in the field events was Joel Ballard, who was fifth in the long jump (19 feet, 8 inches' and sixth in the pole vault (11-0). Placing fifth were Brandon Calvert in the pole vault (11-6) and Justin Livingston in the discus (126-4). Nate Thompson was sixth in the javelin (152-3).

WILDKAT JUNIOR sprinter Sophia Lewis-Peterson placed in two events – third in the 200 (28.47) and fifth in the 100 (13.58). McKenzie Reeve was the top finisher, earning second in the 300 hurdles (50.46).

Heinz said Lewis-Peterson had a "great day," and she and Reeve will be "workhorses' this season.

Ketti Wilhelm was third in the pole vault (9-6) and Kelsey DeWit third in the high jump (4-10). Placing fourth were Dannah Turner in the 200 (29.32) and Tianna Burns in the 400 (1:06.9).

Melissa Livingston ran to fifth in the 100 hurdles (18.22). Nikki Elek was sixth in the 400 (1:07.68) and Ashli Fairbank was sixth in the 800 (2:39.74).

Lewis-Peterson, Wilhelm, Cedar Jordt and Reeve teamed for fifth in the 400 relay (54.75), highlighted by the effort of Jordt, according to Heinz. Turner, Fairbank, Burns and Elek ran to sixth in the 1,600 relay (4:39.25).

"It's nice to finally get a meet under our belt," Heinz said. "We have some great foundations and know how to continue on from here."

C-Falls athletes will be split between invitationals in Bigfork and Missoula (at Big Sky) on Saturday.