Glacier High School tracksters know the road to state is difficult and unforgiving. It’s definitely not soft – after all, there isn’t a track at the school.
The Wolfpack runs on the street.
“There have been some bumps and bruises along the way,” Glacier High School girls head coach Jerry Boschee said of taking to the pavement. “But attitude and determination can take you a long way toward your goals.”
Both Glacier and Flathead High School will compete at Legends Field in Kalispell in the Western Class AA divisional track meet May 16 and 17.
Last year’s split of Flathead High School has benefited Glacier this year. The Wolfpack picked up three-sport athlete Emilee Hashley, who could head to state in the discus, javelin and shot put, while Kayla Smart is ranked third in the state in the triple jump with a season-best leap of 36 feet 3 inches. The Wolfpack 4×100 relay team has the second fastest time in the state this year at 50.54 seconds.
Sprinter Rachael Cutler is Boschee’s dark horse, returning from a hamstring injury to compete at divisionals.
Glacier boys head coach Arie Grey said his squad is improving week by week, describing the Wolfpack’s first year as one of tenacity and valuable experience. Not to mention, a few athletes have stood out on the state level.
Mid-distance runner Jake Glasman’s time of 2:04 in the 800 meters is one of the state’s best times for 2008 while jumpers Ben Cutler and Kyle Montini figure to place well.
“The kids are the reason there is improvement,” Grey said. “It has nothing to do with us. It’s all about the kids – about what they can do.”
On the other hand, Flathead High School is steeped with tradition, but some of its experience was lost with the split, girls head coach Kirtlye Lohof said.
“We lost about 10 or so key contributors,” she said. “And the turnout in all girls sports at Flathead was low this year. It’s been an adjustment year for sure.”
Flathead and Glacier each had 60 to 70 girls turnout this year.
The Bravettes have been lightening workouts leading up to divisonals and fine tuning their mechanics, which Lohof says will allow her team to heal and be at their best fitness come this weekend.
Jumpers Kelsie Norwood and Ally Krautbauer, who are also sprinters, should provide a lift for the Bravettes, while Heidi Windauer will add depth at hurdles and mid-distance.
Krautbauer finished first in the long jump and third in the high jump at Archie Roe – one of the state’s largest meets. Norwood was fourth in the triple jump.
The Braves will be without state-leading javelin thrower Luke Fischer. Fischer sustained a shoulder injury after a state-best 199-foot-8-inch heave. According to Flathead head coach Dan Hodge, Fischer will let the injury heal in hopes of throwing in college.
Senior Josh Harris is one of Class AA’s top ranked competitors in the shot put and discus while sprinters Mike Kozlowski, Charlie Dotson, Ian Damon, hurdler C.J. Manning and long jumper Sam Tedrow round out the Braves’ core.
The Braves were boys state champions from 2000 to 2004.
“We’re hoping everyone shows up on the same day, instead of half and half,” Hodge said.