GREAT FALLS — At the state track meet, most athletes hope to place in one event, but the Lady Pirates showed their versatility with three different athletes placing in multiple events. It was sophomore phenom Aja Starkey who placed the highest for the Lady Pirates, taking second in the 3,200-meter race (11:51.21).

GREAT FALLS — At the state track meet, most athletes hope to place in one event, but the Lady Pirates showed their versatility with three different athletes placing in multiple events. It was sophomore phenom Aja Starkey who placed the highest for the Lady Pirates, taking second in the 3,200-meter race (11:51.21).

Starkey was also sixth in the 1,600-meter race (5:40.06). Sophomore Claudia Hewston continued her tear around the track, placing third in the 800-meter race (2:24.02) and fifth in the 1,600-meter race (5:38.05).

With those times, Polson’s cross country and track teams should remain strong in distance events for years to come. In the sprint races, Anna DiGiallonardo was stellar again with third-place finishes in the 100-meter dash (13.39) and the 200-meter dash (27.44). DiGiallonardo battled with the top girls in the state all season long and once again showed that she’s one of the fastest athletes around.

Riley Sampson put up the best mark for the boys, finishing second in the shot put (49-3.5), while Adam Schmidt was fifth in the 300-meter hurdles (42.40).

Sampson finished the season with the best throw in Class A during the regular track season.

Travis Hayes continued to do his best at the 800-meter dash. Hayes worked all season, and ran his best late in the season. It got him a fourth-place finish at state (2:04.56).

The 1,600-meter relay team also did good work, placing fifth in the state (3:32.43). Polson track and field should have several of their standout athletes return next year, meaning fans should expect improved marks and even better results.