by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
Track & Field is the ultimate meritocracy. The winners run faster, throw farther, and jump higher than the next person – there’s no style points, there’s no gray area, there’s no room for confusion.
On top of all that, it’s an exhilarating sport to watch, so get out there and catch the action and support these student athletes before the season is over.
The six Bitterroot Valley track teams are rounding into form as the high school track season heads down the backstretch – the district, divisional, and state meets will be held in the upcoming weeks.
Best in Nation
It’s a rare thing to be able to say a Montana track and field athlete has the top mark in the nation, but we can this week. Corvallis’s Hunter Loesch threw the javelin 214-8 at the Corvallis Quadrangular on May 2. This throw is the best in the nation as of May 5 (source: Athletic.net) and is over 30 feet further than any other throw in Montana this year. For reference, no other Montana track athlete is in the top ten in the nation in any event.
The Montana All-Class state record is 213-4 set in 2005, and the Class A state record is 212-1. To qualify for an official State Record, the mark has to occur at the State Meet.
Best in State
There are two other Bitterroot Valley athletes besides Loesch who have the best marks in Montana in their event, regardless of class. Hamilton’s Aubrey Korst has the best girls pole vault in Montana at 12-3, and Corvallis’s Ella Varner has the furthest girls long jump in Montana at 18-7.75, Varner also has the 2nd longest triple jump in Class A.
Corvallis’s Ella Varner has the best girls long jump in Montana this year, regardless of class, at 18’ 7.75”, and the second longest triple jump in Class A. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Best in Class
The following Bitterroot Valley athletes have the best marks in their class, giving them an excellent chance to compete for an individual state championship later this spring.
Class A
Corvallis’s Solomon Morgan has the top time in the 100m (11.17) and the 200m (22.42). Corvallis’s Stuart Brennan has the top time in the 110m hurdles (14.50), and is 3rd best in the 300m hurdles (40.57) and long jump (21-4). Corvallis’s Ledge Conner has the top high jump (6-6).
Hamilton’s Annalise Lewis has the best time in the 800m (2:16.95), the 2nd best time in the 1600m (5:12.34), and the 5th best time in the 400m (1:00.41). Stevensville’s Reagan Johnstone has the best 100m hurdles time (15.81), the best triple jump (36-7.25), the 2nd best long jump (17-10.5) and the 5th best high jump (5-0).
Stevensville’s Reagan Johnstone has the best 100m hurdles time, the best triple jump, the 2nd best long jump and the 5th best high jump in Class A this year. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Class B
Florence’s Madigan Hurlbert has the fastest time in the 100m hurdles (14.99), and the 5th best time in the 100m (12.75). Florence’s Kyler Harris has the fastest times in the 1600m (4:27.37) and the 3200m (9:32.01).
Others to watch
Hamilton’s Evan Bennett is in the top 3 for the 400m and 800m. Florence’s Isaac Bates, last year’s 400m state champion, will be a favorite at state in the 100m, 200m and 400m. Florence’s Bridger Alexander has the 3rd best throw in the shot put. Hamilton’s Gracie Werst has the 2nd best throw in the shot put. Stevensville’s Sophia Hutchison is in the top 3 in the long jump and triple jump. Corvallis’s Jack Davidson is in the top 6 in the 3200m, 1600m and 800m. Corvallis’s Drew Lewis is in the top 5 in the boys discus and javelin. Hamilton’s Taylor Doleac is in the top 5 in the discus. Corvallis’s Ayden Spencer has the 2nd best time in the 100m. Corvallis’s Julian Huls is in the top 5 in the 100m, 200m and long jump. Stevensville’s Eva Brunell is in the top 5 in the discus.
All times, stats and marks come from Athletic.net as if 5/5/25.