Track team will draw on past success

This year's Columbia Falls track team will draw athletes from a boys' cross country team that won a state title last fall.

All of the top runners from the boys cross country team will compete in track events, said Head Coach Jamie Heinz. That includes top long distance runners Shawn and Justin Whitman, Derek Williams and Patric and Pascal Jessat. Last year Shawn took second in the 1,600 at the state A meet and third in the 3,200.

Richard Menicke, cross country head coach, will coach long distance runners for the team as well, Heinz said.

Heinz said he's optimistic about the boys' prospects.

"They're going to be pretty good," he said. "I'm excited about our returning athletes."

The team has strength from top to bottom. On the sprinting side, senior Dean Phillips, who took fourth at state in the 100 last year, will look to best that mark. He'll also run the 200 and 400.

"Last year he was huge for us," Heinz said.

On the field side of things, Nate Thompson should be strong in the triple jump and javelin; Justin Livingston, Mike Macijunas and Daniel Jones will compete in the throwing events and Kodiak Gimbel should be tough in the high jump. Kaleb Johnson, a standout on the football field and basketball court for the Cats will run the 400 and 800 events, and will compete in long and high jumps.

There could also be some unknowns in the mix. Heinz said the combined girls and boys squads have about 135 athletes — just learning the names of the underclassmen has proven challenging, he joked.

On the girls' side, Heinz said he expects good things from senior Sophia Peterson in the sprints, hurdles and long jump. Kelsey and Kayla DeWit should be solid in the jumping events. Last year Kelsey took first in the high jump at the divisional meet.

Heinz said he also expects good things from runners Cedar Jordt, Ashli Fairbank and Tianna Burns in mid-distance running events.

There's also a huge sophomore class — more than 30 girls have tried out.

"Initially, they look pretty good," Heinz said.

In addition to Menicke, Heinz is assisted by Kati Knutson, Shaun Forrest and Jessica Falcon.

This is Heinz's fourth year as head coach of the team and 16th as a track coach.