High numbers turn out for Libby track

On the football field and the wrestling mat, the Berget boys have made a name for themselves while wearing the Libby High School uniform. Just because spring has arrived, don’t expect cousins Kody and Dylan Berget to miss out on any competitive action.

Dylan Berget, sophomore, qualified last season in both the 1600- and 3200-meter run while Kody Berget shows exciting promise in the hurdles.

“I’m hoping he improves on that this year,” LHS track coach Ed Tabis said about Dylan Berget in the distance events. “Last year, he got to state; this year, it’s let’s place at state.”

Tabis said junior Kody Berget displays raw talent.

“He’s going to be hurdles, sprints, relays – those will be his contributions – the hurdles especially and possibly the 400,” Tabis said.

Will Lott, junior, is another long-distance runner that shows plenty of potential in the 1600 and 3200. Reece Jensen, junior, looks good in the jumps and Kelly May, junior, will help in running events, relays and the javelin.

Through an expanded lineup of preseason ability testing, junior Tyler Troy was one of those who stood out.

“He should have a great year … he really developed over last year,” Tabis said. “He’s truly bigger, faster and stronger.”

Troy is slated to compete in the jumps and sprints while helping in the relays.

Juniors Dean Willey (sprints, throws) and Dietrich Coleman (sprints, relays) also look strong heading into the season.

Overall, Tabis said the Logger lineup is young and he mentioned several athletes who will develop over the course of the season.

“They just have to be patient,” Tabis said. “First, we have a lot of untapped talent here that I hope that we can figure out and second, I hope they stay with it.”

Senior Kaila Forster returns for the girls after placing fourth in the long jump at last year’s state meet. Forster had a personal-best 16-0.5 at state.

“I’m hoping that she picks up from there and continues on,” Tabis said. “She also hurdles and I’m sure she’ll be an asset in the relays.”

Seniors Erin Baker and Katie Emery show potential in the discus and shot. Baker qualified in both of those events last season and Emery appears ready to move up in the results.

Out of the preseason testing, Tabis mentioned junior Chancey Auge as an athlete that caught his attention.

“She’s one of those gals in the prediction tests that we come to find out has natural trail leg action,” Tabis said. “She’s going to try the hurdles. It may not be a race for her this year but she’s only a junior.”

Auge also competes in the high jump and javelin.

Foreign-exchange student Nikola Falk, who performed well during cross country this past fall, will run the 3200, 1600 and 800 for the Logger girls. Tabis said she might even try the 400.

Sophomore Jenny Johnson (jumps), senior Courtney Nicklay (senior) and sophomore Skyanne Cosgriff (throws) are among the other girls that are looking good heading into the season. Several of the younger athletes – many out for the first time – are also expected to contribute.

The Loggers will host a time trials meet on Thursday at 2 p.m.

“It’ll let them find out what a track meet’s all about and get some marks,” Tabis said. “Our schedule is unique this year – our first three track meets are time trials. That’s good for us because everybody can compete.”

Libby heads to time trials in Columbia Falls (April 10) and Kalispell (April 13) before competing in the Bigfork Invitational on April 17.

Besides Thursday’s event, other home appearances for the Loggers include a dual on April 20 against Columbia Falls, the Libby Invitational on April 24, a dual against Flathead on May 14 and divisionals on May 21-22.

The LHS coaching lineup includes Tabis (distance, high jump, long relays), Jim May (long jump, triple jump), Tim Hodel (javelin, discus), Josh Bean (shot put, discus), Kyle Crawford (sprints, hurdles, short relays) and April Rewerts (pole vault).

Varsity Schedule

April 1    Libby Time Trials    2 p.m.

April 10    at C. Falls Time Trials    10 a.m.

April 13    at Kalispell Time Trials    1:30 p.m.

April 17    at Bigfork Invite    10 a.m.

April 20    Columbia Falls    3 p.m.

April 24    Libby Invite    10 a.m.

April 27    Top 10 Meet at Missoula    3:30 p.m.

May 1    at Whitefish ARM Invite    10 a.m.

May 4    Lincoln Co. Meet at Eureka    3 p.m.

May 8    Archie Roe Inv. at Kalispell    10 a.m.

May 14    Flathead    3 p.m.

Note: The divisional meet is scheduled for May 21-22 at Libby. The Class A state meet is scheduled for May 28-29 at Laurel.