Kats start track season smoking

The Columbia Falls girls track team started with strong performances in its first week of meets.

At the Flathead Time Trials on April 7, the Wildkats were led by Carla Nicosia, who won the 100 meter hurdles at 16.19 and the triple jump at 35-11.5. Samantha Mundel took second in the 800 meters and 1,600 meters with times of 2:27.09 and 5:23.12 respectively.

The Kats also won the 400 relay at 52.60. Mary Baker had a solid afternoon, taking third in the 100 meters at 13.61 and second in the 100 hurdles at 16.87. Kiara Burlage was second in the 400 meters at 1:04.1.

On the boys side, Kyler Burns tied for first in the high jump with a leap of 6-1.

The Kats also did well at the Frenchtown Time Trials a couple days later. Keavyn Baker won the 200 and 400 with times of 28.2 and 1:08.3 respectively. The Kats won the 1,600 meter relay with a time of 4:40.5.

At the Missoula Invitational on April 11, the Kats were fifth overall against stiffer Class AA competition. Nicosia was second in the triple jump with a great leap of 36-2, but Hannah Porch of Big Sky bested her by three inches at 36-5.

Mundel also had a solid meet, taking second in the 1,600 at 5:27.92 as she chased Glacier High School’s Annie Hill for the second time in a week. Hill clocked a 5.05.36 in the win. Mundel placed third in the 3,200 at 11:50.

The Wildcats took 14th at Missoula. They were led by Burns, who was second in the high jump with a leap of 6 feet even, and Tanner Dana, who took fifth in the 100 and 200 meters respectively with times of 11.85 and 23.58.

Nicosia and Mundel have already qualified for state in their respective events, and Burns has qualified in the high jump.

Both teams compete in Corvallis on Thursday night and then host the Columbia Falls “Iceberg Invite” on Saturday. Events start at 10 a.m.