Cats win Whitefish A.R.M.

The Columbia Falls boys track team continues to shine this season, winning the Whitefish A.R.M. Meet Saturday. The Wildcats edged Glacier, 99-95.

The boys were led by Sage Wanner, who won the 1,600 with a time of 4:35.28 and the 3,200 with a time of 9:58.39.

Logan Stephens won the long jump with a leap of 20-9 and Logan Kolodejechuk was second in the javelin with a 172-6.5. Sprinter Tanner Dana was second in the 100 meters with a 11.39, just .05 of a second from the top spot and he took third in the 400 with a 52.24. He did not run the 200, which has been his best race this season.

The boys also took second in the 400 relay with a 43.86.

The girls tied Polson for fifth. Leading the Wildkats was Allyson Gimbel who won the shot put with a 40-7, the best throw in all classes in the state so far this season.

Jaclyn Bohmer took second in the triple jump with a 33-5, Ellie Johnson was second in the long jump with a 16-0 and the Kats were second in the 1,600 relay with a 4:21.09.

Ashley Caffrey was second in the pole vault with a 10-04.

Coach Jamie Heinz is pleased with how both teams are performing at this stage in the season. He said at the beginning of the year that the boys squad could surprise people and it has. 

Heinz noted that they have an athlete placing in nearly every event, which is a formula for points — and success — in track.

Dana in particular has been sprinting well this season.

“He worked hard all winter long,”Heinz said. Dana trained in the weight room and worked on his form.

“He’s definitely faster,” Heinz said. 

Transfer Sage Wanner has also been a big boost in the long-distance events, winning or placing in those events each week.

“That’s a big impact for our team.” Heinz said.

They’re also jumping well, with Logan Stephens and Stephen Lindsey in the long jump and Logan Kolodejchuk in the triple jump.

On the girls’ side, the Kats continue to improve, but they lost Miranda Livingston for the season due to a leg injury. Livingston was a key member of the relay team.

Caffrey is pole vaulting very well and Gimbel is throwing the shot put at a state championship level.  In short, the postseason looks promising.