Pete comes back from ACL operations and Zion Lee leads talented

group of pole vaulters at Columbia Falls Invitational

COLUMBIA FALLS - For Polson senior Sierra Pete, just being out on the track is a good thing.

After blowing out her ACL in the 2010 divisional girls' basketball tournament, and then tearing the reconstructed ACL again last August before basketball season, Pete competed for the first time since her injuries at the Columbia Falls Invitational last weekend and placed second in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:06.

"It's a miracle that she can do what she is doing after undergoing those two surgeries," Polson head coach Bob Gunderson said. "Her 1:06 in the 400 was an extremely good mark considering her circumstances."

Her gutsy performance was just one of many impressive showings by the Lady Pirates' track team, which took fifth despite being short-handed because of spring break.

Senior Breanne Kelley, competing for the first time this spring, placed second in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 49.75 and third in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.44. She also placed sixth in the high jump with a height of 4-10.

"We plan to continue with her in this event as she has the potential to end up in the 5'-2" to 5'-4" range," Gunderson said of Kelley in the high jump.

Freshman Claudia Hewston continued her string of impressive distance performances.

She placed sixth in the 800 with a time of 2:40.97 and second in the 1,600 with a time of 5:47.56.

"Claudia has been impressive with her efforts this spring in the 800-meter and 1600-meter runs," Gunderson said. "She also ran a good leg on the 1600-meter relay on Saturday."

Polson's 1600-meter relay team finished third thanks to the hard running of Katie Finley, Pete, Hewston and Kelley.

"Overall, we need to put a little more emphasis on conditioning in practice," Gunderson said. "We have been trying to avoid over-use injuries and have brought the kids

along a little slower this spring. We're going to have to ‘train-through' a couple of meets to get them where they need to be."

Pirates dominate pole vault

Polson has their very own Fantastic Four.

Say hello to pole vaulters Zion Lee, Brock Bleazard, Drew Fouty and Jesse Alfiero.

While you won't see them stretching around anything, bursting into flames, going invisible or appearing to be made out of rock, they're still an impressive bunch.

Last weekend in Columbia Falls, Lee took second (12-0), Bleazard took third (12-0), Fouty was fifth (11-6) and Alfiero placed tied for sixth (11-0) in the pole vault.

Those points helped Polson finish fourth in the meet.

"The pole vault crew came through with some good efforts and several PRs," Gunderson said.

Lee also stepped outside of the box, running the 110-meter hurdles for the first time in a meet.

"He three-stepped all of them and finished sixth," Gunderson said. "He has some pretty good potential in this event as well as in the 300-hurdles."

Junior Mike Devlin took third in the 200 meter-dash with a time of 24.52 and came close in the long jump event.

"Mike scratched on all four of his long jump attempts," Gunderson said. "He was over 20 feet on some near-misses."

Junior Chris Cote took second in the 400-meter race with a time of 54.93 and has potential in other events as well.

"Chris has been working hard and his time in the 400 was a PR," Gunderson said. "I would really like to see him try the 800-meter. Not only would he be good in that event but it would help his open 400."

Polson's 1,600-meter relay team also had a good showing, placing third after a spirited battle with the Ronan relay team. Both teams traded positions and were ahead of the pack at some points. The Pirates finished just three seconds ahead of the Chiefs.

"Our team ran much better than two weeks ago in Corvallis and had a good early season time of 3:41," Gunderson said.

Polson excelled in field events with junior Clark Rubel placing third in the shot put event with a throw of 45.5 and senior Dale Big Sam taking fourth with a heave of 43-5.5. Riley Sampson also took third in the discus with a distance of 122-11.

"Our weight crew garnered some important points in their events," Gunderson said. "They are consistent to this point with their marks in the shotput and discus and are one of the strengths of our team within the Northwest Division."

Polson was also without the services of junior Vince DiGiallonardo, who missed the whole spring break because of a January ankle injury in basketball.

"He is one of our fastest kids and best jumpers," Gunderson said. "We hope that he can begin competing in the sprints and short relay this coming week."

Like the girls, Gunderson said there would probably be a few changes in practice.

"We need to put a little more emphasis on conditioning and will have to ‘train through' some meets if we want to get to where we want to be in May," Gunderson said.

COLUMBIA FALLS INVITATIONAL RESULTS

GIRLS

Team scores - 4. Ronan (50), 5. Polson. (46)

400 - 2. Sierra Pete, P (1:07.14) 4. M. Soukup, R-M (109.40). 800 - 6. Claudia Hewston, P (2:40.97). 1600 - 2. Claudia Hewston, P (5:47.56), 4. Courtney Clairmont, R-M (5:59.23) 6. Jade Gray, R-M (6:16.45). 3,200 - 3. Jade Gray, R-M (13:07.19). 100 hurdles - 3. Breanne Kelley, P (16.44). 300 hurdles - 2. Breanne Kelley, P (49.75). 400 relay - 5. Polson (55.30) 6. Ronan- Mission (56.21). 1,600 relay - 3. Polson (4:33.04). Shotput - 4. T. Hogge, R-M (29-2 1/2) 5. DJ Conko-Camel, P (29-2). High jump - 1. Adessa Durglo, R-M (5-0) 6. Breanne Kelley, P (4-10). Long jump - 1. Adessa Durglo, R-M (15-5 1/2) 4. Shelby Korpi,

P (13-11 1/2) 6. Katie Finley, P (13-11). Triple jump - 1. Adessa Durglo, R-M (34-6)

BOYS

Team scores - 3. Ronan (63), 4. Polson. (57.5)

100 - 1. Jordan Franklin, R-M (11.79) 6. Eric Malmquist, M-R (12.09). 200 - 2. Eric Malmquist, R-M (24.50) 3. Mike Devlin, P (24.53). 400 - 2. Chris Cote, P (54.93) 3. Marcus Hungerford, R-M (55.25) 6. A. Alimadadi, R-M (56.75). 3,200 - 6. Paden Alexander, R-M (10:59.2). 110 hurdles - 6. Zion Lee, P (18.02). 300 hurdles - 1. Jordan Franklin, R-M (43.03). 400 relay - 1. Ronan-Mission (45.94) 4. Polson (46.50). 1,600 relay - 3. Polson (3:41.19) 4. Ronan (3:44.75). Shotput - 3. Jared Rubel, P

(45.5) 4. Dale Big Sam, P (43-5.5). Discus - 3. Riley Sampson, P (122-11). High jump - 1. Jordan Franklin, R-M (6-2). Triple jump - 5. Jalen Bell, R-M (40-1). Pole Vault - 2. Zion Lee, P (12-0) 3. Brock Bleazard, P (12-0) 5. Drew Fouty, P (11-6) 6. Jesse Alfiero, P (11-0)