Track team looks for success in strong numbers

The Columbia Falls track team has great numbers this year — with 70 boys and 55 girls on the squad, it’s one of the best showing of seniors ever, coach Jamie Heinz said.

“Our numbers are outstanding,” Heinz said last week. “We need to find some points in those numbers and get kids in the right events to help the team and help them be successful.”

There are some big holes to fill. Long distance runners Derrick Williams and Jinise Osborne graduated, as did thrower Dan Jones, who set the school record in the javelin last year.

They’ve also lost some speed to injury. Morgan Christianson, one of the school’s top sprinters last year, injured her knee and is out for the season.

Still there are some girls to look out for. Savannah Moon is quick, and throwers Andrea Getts and Haley Belgarde should help. Carla Nicosia and Ashton Berta are good jumpers, and Tori Price, a speedy softball player for three seasons, is trying her hand at track this year.

On the boys side, they have jumpers in Colin King and Conner Williams and long distance capability in James Ratzlaff. Luke Kazlauskas is expected to run the 400.

Teams often don’t gel until the season is nearly over, and with plenty of youth, it’s tough to tell early on who will rise to the top.

Last season, the boys took fourth at the state Class A tournament, and the girls took 10th. The division should be tough this year. Whitefish has solid long distance boys runners, and Polson is always tough.

The season opens at home March 28 with the Columbia Falls Invitational. Heinz is assisted by coaches Kelly Houle, Mark Beckwith, Jackson Schweikert and Jim Peacock.