Cats take second at state

Oh so close.

The Columbia Falls boys track team took second at the state A track meet in Laurel last week, falling to Corvallis by just 11 points, 88-77. Sophomore sprinter Taylor Martinson won the state championship in the 100 meters with a time of 11.27.

Sophomore Derrick Williams took second in the 1,600, losing to Corvallis' Chris Jessop by one-tenth of a second and was also runner-up in the 800 by a similar margin.

It was a meet of second place finishes for the Cats. Patric Jessat was second in the 400. The team was second in the 400 and 1600 relays. Jacob Hader was second in the 300 hurdles and Nate Thompson was second in the triple jump.

Normally, that would be plenty of points to win a state crown, where the points get spread around. But this year Corvallis simply had the slightest edge.

"We gave it a run," coach Jamie Heinz said. "All in all I was very happy."

Heinz said the boys came out a little tight on Friday and they had a team meeting where he told them to relax and have fun Saturday.

They did just that and the races, literally, came down to the stretch of a hand, the thrust of a chest.

"Our seniors laid the groundwork for the future of the track program and I appreciate that," Heinz said. "Track is alive and well in Columbia Falls."

Many of the athletes will return next year. This team is largely sophomores and juniors.

"It sets up very well for next year," he said.

The girls came in last, but Heinz said they actually had some solid performances that normally would have placed. But this year's competition was exceptional.

"Our girls had outstanding performances," He said. "But every event was loaded (with talent)."