Opland dominates Whitefish track meet

Track and Field athletes from Libby and Troy competed in Whitefish at the ARM Invitational on Saturday.  The invitational attracted 12 schools for the busy one-day event. 

The Troy Trojans were able to take fourth place, led by Sean Opland’s dominance in the sprints and also earning points in the high jump and triple jump. 

“I think that was the first time for Sean to sweep all the sprints in one meet,” said Trojan head coach Neil Newton. “Sean just keeps reaping the rewards of his hard work. I’m excited to see where his marks will end up at the end of the season.”

Pate Scott’s first place finish in the long jump was also a bright spot for the Troy Trojans.

Newton is pleased with the progress the team and individual athletes continue to make throughout the season “It was a great day for us,” Newton said. “Almost everyone on the team had a personal best mark in at least one event. That’s a trend we hope will continue as we get closer to the post season.”

Coach Newton was also happy to have Michael Miller back on the track. “He’ll need to get a few more meets in to start to get into competitive shape.” Miller should be able to add some points to the boys’ score when he reaches full capacity.

The Libby girls took ninth on Saturday, led by strong finishes by the two relay teams and a third-place Fosbury flop in the high jump by Krysten Mossburg.

Logger head coach Jim May is impressed with the way the relay teams are tearing up the track lately. “Our girls’ relay teams are turning in some great times,” he said.

For the boys, Michael Curtiss and Collin Johnson represented the Loggers with some impressive marks in their respective events.

Johnson took second place in a deep 800-meter field and Michel Curtiss chucked the shot put well enough to earn third.

“Michael Curtiss’ shot put mark puts him at the top of the conference,” May said.

Girls

Team Scores – 1, Glacier, 125; 2, Plains, 94; 3, Bigfork, 79; 4, Thompson Falls, 66; 5, Columbia Falls, 60; 6, Whitefish, 42; 7, Polson, 25; 8, Eureka, 13; 9, Libby, 12; 10, Havre, 8; 11, Frenchtown, 1.5; 11, Superior, 1.5.

400 relay – 4. Lib., 53.74.

1600 relay –5. Lib., 4:27.81.

High jump –3. Krysten Mossburg, Lib, 4-8.

Boys

Team Scores – 1, Glacier, 162.5; 2, Bigfork, 56; 3, Whitefish, 52; 4, Troy, 49; 5, Thompson Falls, 47; 6, Polson, 32; 7, E, 26; 8, Columbia Falls, 21; 9, Havre, 20; 10, Frenchtown, 15; 11, Hot Springs, 14; 11, Libby, 14; 13, Plains, 13; 14, Superior, 4; 15, St. Ignatius, 1.5.

100 – 1. Sean Opland, Troy, 11.32.

200 – 1. Sean Opland, Troy, 22.79.

400 – 1. Sean Opland, Troy, 50.32.

800 – 2. Collin Johnson, L, 2:07.37.

High jump – 2. Sean Opland, Troy, 6-4.

Long jump – 1. Pate Scott, Troy, 20-8.50.

Triple jump – 6. Sean Opland, Troy, 39-3.25.

Shot put –3. Michael Curtiss, L, 47-2.50.