Scott, fellow Trojans stand out during Whitefish track meet

Among a crowd of more than 800 students, Troy’s track and field athletes stood out Saturday during the Akey, Rosenberg, Murphy Invitational at Whitefish.

Back in his first meet after pulling a hamstring two weeks ago, Trojan leaper Pate Scott stole the show in the long jump. On his final attempt, Scott flew 20-6 to best teammate Gabe Hickman’s 20-2. Although he had to settle for second, Hickman had a career day, setting personal bests in the long jump (20-5.5), shot put and javelin (151-2).

“You expect that from your seniors, to rise above and perform,” Troy Coach Neil Newton said. “Gabe had a great day, and it’s nice having Pate back as well. It was rainy and cold, which has been pretty par for the course for this year. After a nice warm week of weather, we got used to that.”

Four Trojan athletes earned seven places in five events. Sophomore Sean Opland placed in three events, earning third in the high jump (6-0), fourth in the 100-meter race (11.51) and fourth in the 200 (23.38). Opland’s strong performance was hampered by a foot injury of unknown severity. Fellow Trojans Michael Miller and Mason Chapel also suffered injuries during the meet. Newton said Miller tweaked his knee and Chapel rolled his ankle. Newton was unsure of the status for any of his three athletes going into the countywide meet in Eureka on Tuesday.

“I hope they’re all back, we’ll see,” Newton said.

Team scores – Kalispell Glacier 150, Whitefish 92, Kalispell Flathead 76, Loyola Sacred Heart 36, Troy 34, Columbia Falls 26, Frenchtown 15, Hot Springs 12, Bigfork 12, Ronan 10, Plains 10, Eureka 8, Polson 7, Havre 5, Browning 2, Cut Bank 1.

100 – 1, Logan Jones, Gla, 10.93. 2, Evan Epperly, Gla, 11.13. 3, Jed Nagler, Wfh, 11.47. 4, Sean Opland, Troy, 11.51. 5, Gharret Olson, Ftn, 11.57. 6, Christian Langston, Eur, 11.62.

200 – 1, Evan Epperly, Gla, 22.85. 2, Logan Jones, Gla, 23.24. 3, Cain Boschee, Gla, 23.34. 4, Sean Opland, Troy, 23.38. 5, Sean Foley, Wfh, 23.56. 6, Anthony Byrns, HS, 23.74.

Javelin – 1, Todd Ogden, Gla, 174-2. 2, Luke May, Wfh, 164-7. 3, Ty Morgan, CF, 163-8. 4, Ryen Antley, Hav, 153-3. 5, Joey Mullen, Pol, 152-6. 6, Gabe Hickman, Troy, 151-2.

High jump – 1, Matt Quist, Flt, 6-2. 2, Strother Cooper, LSH, 6-2. 3, Sean Opland, Troy, 6-0. 4, Chade Gonter, Flt, 6-0. 5, Jack Dolson, HS, 5-10. 6, Nathan Olds, Troy, 5-10.

Long jump – 1, Pate Scott, Troy, 20-6. 2, Gabe Hickman, Troy, 20-5.50. 3, Keaton Krantz, Flt, 19-9.50. 4, Josh Hill, Gla, 19-9. 5, Bobby Erbaugh, Ftn, 19-7. 6, Hunter Swinehart, CB, 19-3.