If season survives, track team should be good

Columbia Falls High School track and field practice started with nearly 120 athletes out to compete. Head coach Jamie Heinz is looking forward to what the season will unveil, if the season ever commences.

The girls’ team, which was young last year, is looking a little more seasoned this spring, said Heinz. The team has taken a couple hits in the 1,600 meter relay, which took third at state last year, by losing two of its strongest sprinters, Genevieve Delorme who graduated, and senior Josie Windauer who is taking the spring to prepare for soccer this fall at the University of Montana. Despite this, there is some promising talent coming up, said Heinz, including sophomore Rella Heinzen, a promising sprinter who is returning after an injury kept her off the track last season.

Junior distance runner Lara Erickson, who “works her butt off and is incredibly mentally strong,” said distance coach Jim Peacock, will help push the team forward.

The girls will also enter the season led by senior all-class record demolisher Angellica Street, ranked first in the nation in javelin.

“With Angellica, we kind of have some guaranteed points at state,” Heinz said. In addition to street, the girls have a solid core of throwers, with the potential of bringing five to state, said javelin coach Mike Lyngstad.

Pole vaulting will see a strong group of returning female vaulters, said coach Kelly Houle who has seen participation in the sport grow considerably within the past nine years.

The boy’s team, said Heinz, is young and as of yet untested.

“We just don’t know what kind of talent we have yet.”

The team lost quite a few seniors last year, including three legs of last year’s state champion 400 meter relay. The team also lost one of their strongest distance runners, Aiden Jarvis, who moved out of state. However, Heinz is hopeful, he has seen a lot of speed from the young team, as well as some promising jumpers. The boys are led by junior Danny Henjum, who is looking to be a top sprinter in the state, and a very strong crew of distance runners who led the cross country team last fall to a state championship.

“We have the potential to do some really good things.” said Heinz. “Hopefully we can achieve that.”