Track has strong performances at Kalispell, Missoula

Columbia Falls athletes turned in top-tier performances over a pair of competitive meets this past week, placing third in the boys team standings at the Kalispell Time Trials and fourth at the MCPS Invitational in Missoula.

Leading the way was Lane Voermans, who dominated the throws with a first-place finish in the discus at both meets (169’10.5” and 167’8”) and a third-place shot put effort of 48-6 at Missoula. On the track, Jack Phelps powered the sprints, finishing second in the 100 (11.41) and third in the 200 (23.45) at Kalispell before winning the 400 at MCPS with a season-best 50.68.

The Wildcats continued to shine in distance events, with Aiyers Powell taking fourth in the 1600 at Kalispell (4:53.66 PR), while Lucas Peterson and Brayden Swope placed fourth and sixth, respectively, in the 3200. Chloe Savoy claimed first in the girls 3200 in Kalispell (12:32.60 PR) and followed it up with a 5:35.76 PR in the 1600 at Missoula.

Stanley Stremick had a standout week in the jumps, claiming second in the long jump at Kalispell (20’8” PR) and winning the triple jump at MCPS (42’7” PR). In pole vault, Oliver Kress took second in Missoula (13-0) after a 13’6” PR in Kalispell.

Additional point-scorers included Trip Ross (400, Kalispell), Arne Troy (800), and the 4x400 boys relay team, which posted a 3:37.60 PR in Missoula. On the girls side, Ashley Andrews was third in the 1600 (5:44.07) and ninth in the 800 (2:27.49) across both meets. Cora Hannan was runner-up in the 300 hurdles in Kalispell (52.21), and the girls 4x400 relay ran 4:30.27 for third place.

Columbia Falls’ depth also showed in the hurdles and field events, with scoring performances from Banyan Johnston, Daniel Contreras, Abby Phelps, Rachell Ruther, and Soli Bullemer, who added a third-place pole vault (10-00) and fourth-place triple jump (34-00) at MCPS.