Bigfork's biggest hurdle at A track: Host Laurel

Bigfork’s surge to the top of the State A track and field podium has company, in the form of the host Laurel Locomotives.

The Vikings have enjoyed a stellar season which will continue Friday and Saturday in Laurel, home of the State A and C championships. Sue Loeffler, in her 52nd year coaching Bigfork, is taking 12 boys (along with nine girls) to Laurel.  

Within that dozen young men are an Iron Five: Tamret Savik in the jumps, Austin Savik in the hurdles and relays and Robert Merchant, Tayden West and Quinn Kerr in the sprints and relays. 

Based on season times the Vikings project for 75 points. Laurel, with the hurdles tandem of Decker Purkett and Gabriell Glassing and jumpers Bridger Burrows and Chris Dennis, projects to more. But that’s why they run these things, right? 

“We have quality, just not quantity,” Loefller said. “And you take one race at a time, one event at a time and just do your best. We’ll do our best and whatever happens, happens.” 

Either way Loeffler, who saw the Vikings win their lone State title (in Class B) in 1985, has enjoyed the season. 

“They’ve formed a pretty special bond,” she said. “They help each other out and cheer each other on. It’s pretty important and pretty special.” 

We should mention that Corvallis, winners of the last three State A boys titles and nine overall, won’t go quietly. Billings Central has an excellent shot at a top three finish and the distance battles between the Rams’ Grey Piseno and Polson’s David DiGiallonardo should be top viewing.  

Libby’s Tristan Andersen gunning for a javelin title; Browning’s River Racine seems to be peaking in May. Whitefish junior Colby Minton is a threat in the 400. 

On the girls side, Whitefish is young and ready to defend its 2025 title. Standing in the way are Havre — led by sprinters Macy Brandon and Ela Harber — along with Stevensville and do-everything Reagan Johnstone, Hamilton and Miles City. 

“We’re looking a lot like last year,” Whitefish coach Matt Beckwith said. “If everybody shows up and does their job, competes like they have been, there’s always a chance.” 

Athletes like sophomore hurdler/sprinter Ginger Bergland have qualified for state in more events than they can legally run; sprinters Avery Orme, Anna Boysen and Mila Maddock make the Bulldogs, winners of three of the last six girls titles, fast in the relays.  

Orme, a freshman, is a threat in the long and triple jumps. 

“We have a great group of girls,” Beckwith said. “We’re peaking at the right time of year. I think if everybody has a good weekend we could possibly come home with a trophy.” 

The distance races should again be a highlight, with Polson junior Morgan Delaney owning the fastest 3,200 time and Billings Central freshman Addison Kegel taking in the best time in the 1,600. That’s not to mention Libby’s sophomore standout, Capri Farmer. 

Miles City has a burner in Peyton Frame, the favorite in the 400 and 800.   

Columbia Falls senior Soli Bullemer is one of three girls to clear 11 feet, 6 inches in the pole vault.