Trojans track team shows potential in Class B

To describe Aaron Palmer’s athletic abilities – well, where would one begin?

The Troy High School senior dazzled on the football field, created opportunities on the basketball court and has an impressive collection of track and field medals. And oh, by the way, he’s pretty smart, too.

Palmer will compete in his final sport with the Trojans this spring and he’ll be going after his third straight state title in the javelin.

“I’d like to see him break 200 feet this year,” said Neil Newton, who takes over as head coach this season in place of the late Richard Ramondelli. “That’s kind of our goal.”

Palmer’s primary competition in Class B appears to be an athlete from Thompson Falls. The 6-foot-2 Palmer will also chase state titles in the high jump and triple jump. He placed second in each of those events at last year’s state meet.

While Palmer tries to etch his name into Class B history, the Trojans have many other stories surrounding the program this season. The boys 400-meter relay has a chance to do some damage, a pair of 400-meter runners hope to return to state and one of the school’s top female athletes is trying track.

“I believe right now we have 32 on the team,” Newton said Sunday. “That’s a pretty good group for us. We have a good group of freshmen boys that have done really well in past years in junior high and I’m looking forward to building with them in the next few years.”

The 4-by-100-meter relay hopes to break through for a trip to the state meet this season. The relay lost one sprinter from last year but returns seniors Dalton Powell and Scotty Harper, and junior Jake Alexander.

“They’re hungry to get another crack at it,” Newton said.

Powell for the boys and junior Allie Maestas for the girls qualified for state last season in the 400 and hope to bring down their times. In addition, Molly Harpole will compete in a track uniform for the first time since she was a freshman in Noxon. It appears as though she will compete in sprints and perhaps the javelin.

“We’re excited about that … you always like to have those (natural athletes) on your team,” Newton said. “(In Noxon) she was very successful so we’re looking for good things from her.”

Overall, the girls’ numbers are a bit thin. The small school also has softball and tennis available as spring sports – both popular activities.

Harper would like to return to state this season in the long jump.

“We’re really hoping he places at state this year,” Newton said. “Last year was the first time he jumped over 20 feet. We hope that he’ll be able to build on that.”

Harper also competes along with Palmer in the triple jump.

Sophomores Jacob Lopez, Cody Orr and Greg Lundin are showing promise in their events. Lopez will compete for the top spot on the team in the 1600- and 3200-meter runs. Orr and Lundin are also distance runners showing promise. Lundeen is out for track for the first time since junior high.

As for that talented freshman class Newton mention, Ryan Rayson and Cory Orr are among the top competitors.

In the weight events, junior Tom Roeder looks good in the shot put and he hopes to earn a ticket to state. Junior Cullen Metz is another athlete to watch there. Both also compete in the discus.

The season opens on Saturday at the Bonners Ferry Invitational in Idaho.

“We’re looking forward to getting outside and getting on the track,” Newton said. “The first week is kind of frustrating … there’s only so much you can outside.”

The Trojans have a mix of larger invitationals and smaller meets on the schedule. Newton mentioned the Thompson Falls (April 16) and Noxon (May 7) meets as good venues to give a lot of the younger athletes opportunities to compete.

Troy does not host any home events in track but will compete in nearby Libby on April 18.

2009 Schedule

March 28, Bonners Ferry Invitational

April 2, Plains Co-ed Relays

April 4, Frenchtown Invitational

April 7, Kalispell Time Trials

April 16, Thompson Falls Invitational

April 18, Libby Invitational

April 21, Top 10 Missoula Meet

April 25, Eureka Invitational

May 1, Whitefish Invitational

May 5, County Meet at Eureka

May 7, Noxon Invitational

May 9, Archie Roe Invite at Kalispell

May 16, District Meet at Eureka

May 22-23, Divisional Meet at Missoula

May 29-30, State Meet at Kalispell