Track teams see progress at weekend meet in Missoula

Several Pirates make strides

MISSOULA - Despite plenty of bigger schools competing against them, Polson still made marked progress on the track season at the Missoula County Public Schools Invitational

last Saturday.

"The number of points we scored in this meet wasn't indicative of the progress some of our boys have made in their events," Polson head coach Bob Gunderson.

Eight Pirates record PRs in their respective events, including the ones that placed.

In the 400, Mike Devlin placed fourth with a time of 53.43 and Chris Cote was eighth with a time of 54.77.

Polson also showed their propensity in running one lap by placing third in the 1,600-meter relay with a time of 3:37.05.

Pirate weight men also represented well with Clark Rubel placing fourth in the shotput with a throw of 45-7 and Dale Big Sam getting eighth with a mark of 44-1.

In the pole vault, Brock Bleazard placed eighth with a height of 12-0.

Gunderson said that along with the meet placers, Alex Nystrom, Jared Rubel, Jesse Alfiero, Paul McClurg and Nick Mullen also achieved PRs and continue to show steady improvement in their events.

"Another positive note was the return of Vince DiGiallonardo," Gunderson said. "He competed in a meet for the first time this season with an 11.6 effort in the 100-meter and also ran a leg of our 400-meter relay team."

Polson girls record season bests

MISSOULA - AnnaDiGiallonardo and Breanne Kelley both placed in multiple events as the Lady Pirates saw a meet full of PRs.

"The Lady Pirates showed some progress in their individual events in the meet," Gunderson said. "We are slowly getting back into running shape."

DiGiallonardo placed eighth in the 100-meter dash (13.51) and fifth in the 200 (26.99). Kelley finished fifth in the 100 hurdles (15.80) and fourth in 300 hurdles (48.24).

"Mesa Starkey ran a season-best 2:33.89 in the 800-meter run and freshmen Erica Alfiero and Alicia Sicz recorded PR's in the hurdles and 200-meter dash."

Polson placed seventh in the 400-meter relay with a time of 53.60 and lowered their season-best time in the 1,600-meter relay, recording a 4:23.47 mark.

"We are yet to have our whole girls team together for a meet," Gunderson said. "We haven't run the same four girls in the 400 and 1,600-meter relay yet this season, nor have we had all the girls together for a single meet."