Boys look to defend state track title

With a host of returning athletes, the Columbia Falls boys track team hopes to defend its state Class A title this year. The girls, meanwhile, will build on a core of young but unproven athletes.

The boys return standout seniors Derrick Williams, Anthony Correa and Daniel Jones. Williams won state titles last year in 1,600 and 800 meter races. Correa won the 400 and took second in the 200. Jones was a member of the winning 1,600 relay at state and won the discus in the divisional tournament.

The Wildcats will be without Austin Barth for the javelin and discus, however. He injured his non-throwing shoulder at the state A basketball tournament. The injury required surgery, putting him out of commission for track. The team was hoping he’d do well this year.

The boys will also look for good things from Trevor Wobschall in the hurdles and speedy sophomore Josiah Osborne in sprint events. Osborne took fifth in the 100 meters last year at state.

The Cats will need to rebuild in the long, triple and high jumps, as Nate Thompson and Kodiak Gimbel both graduated. Jumping events are something coach Jamie Heinz said the team will need to work on as the season progresses. Overall, Heinz is pleased with where the squads are to date.

“I’m happy with our turnout and numbers,” Heinz said last week. “I have more seniors than I’ve ever had before.”

While the boys squad will rely on returning athletes, the girls will look to youth and athletes who have excelled in other sports but haven’t competed in track.

“I look for our girls to improve drastically,” Heinz said. “We just have to get (them) in the right spots.”

The competition should be tough this season, with Whitefish loaded and is favored to win the division. On the boys side, Corvallis is expected to be one of the top teams again.

“Our goal every year is to be competitive,” Heinz said. “I like our chances to repeat at state.”

Heinz is assisted by Kelly Houle, Kati Knutson, Mark Beckwith and Jim Peacock. The teams open their season this Saturday at home at the Columbia Falls Invitational. The non-scoring meet is a warm-up before spring break and the season ahead.