Lawrence wins 3,200 Meters at State B, Cichosz, Hanson earn All-State Honors

Blaine County was well represented at the Class B and C State Track and Field Meets this past weekend. 25 local athletes made the trek to Kalispell and Laurel to compete with the states best in their respective Class. Three earned All-State honors and a place on the podium while one became a State Champion.

Harlem junior L'Tia Lawrence has dominated the competition in both the 1,600 and 3,200 Meter races all season. Lawrence has won every time she stepped on the track. She has been tested in the 1,600 Meter Run from time to time but has left the competition behind in the 3,200.

Friday in Kalispell at Legends Field, Lawrence took to the Track against the Class B best in the 1,600 Meter Run. Running a solid race Lawrence was edged out down the stretch and finished second with a time of 5:15.69.

Saturday, Lawrence was focused and ready as she prepared for the 3,200 Meter Run. While the race was closer than in previous weeks, Lawrence still managed to pull away from the field in the end to win the race by more than twelve seconds. She crossed the finish line in 11:18.84 to win the Class B State Championship.

Lawrence's effort was a personal best taking nearly eight full seconds off her time from the North/East Top 10 Meet. Lawrence is the school record holder in both events.

Friday also saw the Wildcat boys earn some hardware as junior Brad Cichosz ran his way to a fourth place finish in the 3,200 Meter Run. Cichosz finished with a time of 10:13.71 to earn his spot on the podium.

Saturday, Cichosz ran a solid race in the 1,600 Meter Run finishing in eighth place in 4:43.17.

Chinook senior, Kourtney Hanson, had a stellar day in Laurel Friday afternoon while competing at the State C Track and Field meet.

Hanson had her sights set on competing in the 800 Meter race for much of the season but she began running the 400 Meter Dash the third meet of the season at the Havre Lions meet.

Hanson ran a 1:06.43 that first time out. Friday she turned in an outstanding effort, finishing in 1:00.87 to finish fifth in the event and earn All-State Honors and a spot on the podium.

Hanson's effort also established a new school record, breaking the mark of 1:01 set by Tia Bauer in 2008.

While many did not find a spot on the podium they all had fantastic seasons. Anyone competing the final week of any season, football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, golf, tennis or track and field has proven to be State Tournament worthy.

Chinook senior, Cord Schneider, competed in three events in Laurel, finishing 7th in the Shot Put, 12th in the Discus and 17th in the High Jump. Turner junior, Jack Harmon, competed in two events finishing 7th in the 800 Meter Run and 17th in the 400 Meter Run. Turner senior, Cody Welsh, finished 7th in the 300 Meter Hurdles.

Also competing for the Sugarbeeters in Laurel were seniors, Megan Molyneaux, Rachel Gunderson, Lincy Johnson and Trajan Hannum. Juniors Raynee Hassler and Sam Dumas. Sophomores Rebecca Stroh and Jayden Miller along with freshman Toby Niederegger, Kinley Hamilton and Hunter Molyneaux

For Turner, junior Sarah Billmayer and sophomore Shyan Krass were also in Laurel competing at the State C meet.

The Wildcat contingent also included seniors Skylee Dirden, and Haley Johnson, junior Kristyn Kittson and freshman Taya Trottier.

Congratulations to everyone who competed at the state meet and a big pat on the back to those who earned All-State recognition.

Thank you for putting the finishing touches on another fantastic school year of athletics. I absolutely love writing about all of our local athletes accomplishments. I look forward to the 2019-20 season.

State C Track & Field Meet

Laurel Sports Complex, Laurel, MT - May 24-25

Girls Results

100 Meters - 26.) Megan Molyneaux, Chinook :14.78

400 Meters - 5.) Kourtney Hanson, Chinook 1:00.87

3200 Meters - 13.) Raynee Hasler, Chinook 13:42.10

4x400 Relay - 17.) Chinook (Anna Morrow, Rebecca Stroh, Lincy Johnson, Kourtney Hanson) 4:40.00

Shot Put - 4kg - 11.) Kinley Hamilton, Chinook 32'4.251"

Discus - 1kg - 12.) Rachel Gunderson, Chinook 96'0"; 15.) Jayden Miller, Chinook 94'5"; 16.) Shyan Krass, Turner 94'4";

Javelin - 600g - 12.) Rachel Gunderson, Chinook 107'10"

Long Jump - 10.) Sarah Billmayer, Turner 15'4.75"

Boys Results

400 Meters - 17.) Jack Harmon, Turner :53.91

800 Meters - 7.) Jack Harmon, Turner 2:04.43; 8.) Trajan Hannum, Chinook 2:05.21

1600 Meters - 9.) Trajan Hannum, Chinook 4:48.03

300 Meter Hurdles - 7.) Cody Welsh, Turner :42.37

4x400 Relay - 14.) Chinook (Sam Dumas, Toby Niederegger, Hunter Molyneaux, Trajan Hannum) 3:44.02

Shot Put - 12lb - 7.) Cord Schneider, Chinook 45'3"

Discus - 1.6kg - 12.) Cord Schneider, Chinook 121'6"

High Jump - 11.) Toby Niederegger, Chinook 5'10"; 17.) Cord Schneider, Chinook 5'8"

State B Track & Field Meet

Legends Stadium, Kalispell, MT - May 24-25

Girls Results

800 Meters - 17.) Taya Trottier, Harlem 2:33.49

1600 Meters - 2.) L'Tia Lawrence, Harlem 5:15.69

3200 Meters - 1.) L'Tia Lawrence, Harlem 11:18.84

4x400 Relay - 20.) Harlem (Taya Trottier, Kristyn Kittson, Skylee Dirden, L'Tia Lawrence) 4:35.82

Javelin - 600g - 14.) Haylee Johnson, Harlem 103'4"

Long Jump - 14.) Skylee Dirden, Harlem 15'2"

Boys Results

1600 Meters - 8.) Brad Cichosz, Harlem 4:43.17

3200 Meters - 4.) Brad Cichosz, Harlem 10:13.71