LHS track team gets ready to open season

When falling snow and rain become more common than warm afternoons with chirping birds, coaches find themselves using any technique they can to measure the athletic skills of their runners, jumpers and throwers.

On the Libby High School track and field team, head coach Ed Tabis uses a type of skills testing that gives him an indication of the athlete’s potential.

For example, the Loggers appear to have a lot of speed this year with several athletes turning in times between 9 flat and 9.15 seconds in a 75-yard sprint. And over in the field events, newcomer Kyle Berke did pretty well in the softball throw, which indicates his good arm just might translate well to the javelin.

Based on preseason workouts, Tabis said this year’s team has been testing a little better than last year.

Seth Wright will be a familiar sight for the Loggers with his return to the high jump, long jump and triple jump. Wright, now a senior, placed second at state last year in the triple jump (43-7.25) and third in both the high jump (6-2) and long jump (21-2). Two years ago, he won state in the triple jump and he holds the school record in the high jump.

Wright, who is headed to the University of Montana to compete in track, will also throw javelin and discus.

“In the javelin, Seth is going to be one of our leaders there with (Joel) Fuller right behind him,” Tabis said. “Seth will also throw discus this year. He wants to pick up five events.”

Even though Zack Rowan, last year’s 100-meter dash champion, is gone, the Loggers appear to have some exceptional speed on the roster. Fuller, Berke, Charlie White and Dean Willey are a few names that Tabis threw out.

Kody Berget, sophomore, will be back for another year in the 110 and 300 hurdles.

The Loggers are a bit thin when it comes to middle and distance running. Dylan Berget, freshman, is “hungry to run” – as Tabis put it – and could have an immediate impact. William Lott, Garrett Craig and Ben Graziano are others included in that group.

“We just need to get a couple of meets under our belt to see what they can do,” Tabis said. “They’re green … the only kid from last year is Garrett.”

In the jumps, besides Wright, the Loggers will have Scott Harlow and Fuller in the long jump. Tabis said White may be an option in the jumps as well but overall, it is another green part of the team.

T.J. Benson brings back experience to the pole vault. Jeff Miller is also in the mix. In the shot put, Fuller brings strength to that event.

Stephany Kluver is a returning state placewinner for the Logger girls. Kluver placed fourth in the javelin last year with a throw of 119-3 and she is back for her senior season.

Devon Hoyer, also a senior, will lend her talent to the hurdles, high jump and relays.

“She’s one of our better kids with speed,” Tabis said. “She’s a five-foot high jumper and a better-than-fair hurdler so we’re hoping this is her banner year.”

In the triple jump, Rachael Sweedman returns and at shot put, Erin Baker is back. Both qualified for state last year in those events. Kaila Forster is another top returnee who will compete in the jumps, hurdles and on relays.

Overall, Tabis said numbers on the boys’ squad are good with 43 on the roster as of Tuesday. Out of that number, 30 are freshmen and sophomores.

The girls’ numbers are down significantly to about half of what they had last year. Tabis lost four girls to injuries from basketball season and a fifth girl who opted for another sport.

Tabis is entering his 20th year with the LHS track program – the first 17 as girls coach and the last three as head coach of both boys and girls. Assistants include Josh Bean (shot, discus), Tim Hodel (javelin, discus), Kyle Crawford (sprints, hurdles, short relays), Jim May (long jump, triple jump) and April Rehwerts (pole vault, high jump).

The season opens Saturday at the Columbia Falls Invitational. The first home meet is scheduled for April 9 for the Libby Time Trials. Divisionals this year will be hosted by Ronan and staged at Polson. Butte Central will host the Class A State Meet.

Schedule

April 4, at Columbia Falls Invite, 10 a.m.

April 9, Libby Time Trials, 2 p.m.

April 14, Class A Time Trials at Kalispell, 1 p.m.

April 16, at Thompson Falls Invitational, 12:30 p.m.

April 18, at Bigfork Invite, 10 a.m.

April 21, at Columbia Falls, 3 p.m.

April 25, Libby Invitational, 10 a.m.

April 28, Top 10 Meet at Missoula, 3:30 p.m.

May 2, at Whitefish ARM Invite, 10 a.m.

May 5, Lincoln County Meet at Libby, 3 p.m.

May 9, Archie Roe Invitational at Kalispell, 10 a.m.

May 15, Flathead, 3 p.m.

May 22-23, Divisional Meet at Polson, TBA

Note: The Class A State Meet is scheduled for May 29-30 at Butte.