LAUREL — It was a grueling day for Bigfork’s Bryn Morley, but that didn’t stop the senior from winning the 800- and 3,200-meter runs at the Class B state track and field meet Friday at the Laurel Sports Complex.
Morley built a substantial lead after the first lap in the 800 that the competitors had far too much ground to overcome. Crossing in a time of 2 minutes, 13.55 seconds, Morley won the 800 for the second consecutive year and the third time in her high school career.
“My first lap definitely was not as fast as I wanted it to be, so it wasn’t quite the time I wanted,” Morley said. “But it was good because I didn’t dig deep, so I won’t feel it too much (Saturday) in the mile.”
Morley was even more dominant in the 3,200, lapping the rest of the field just over midway through the race and finishing in 10:46.41. While she didn’t come near the state-record times of Townsend’s Chiara Warner, Morley has her concentration on Saturday’s 1,600-meter run, where she already holds the Class B record.
“I think just having a time goal just lets you try to keep a certain pace, obviously,” Morley said. “I had a certain goal in mind, so just hitting those splits every time, thinking about that and not really how I’m by myself gets me through it.”
The day wasn’t over, though, for Morley, who also finished fourth in the 400-meter dash. Morley’s collection of gold medals at State B track meets has climbed up to nine, with a chance to add two more Saturday in the 1,600 and 1,600-meter relay.
Austin Forson wins discus title but disappointed with mark
After breaking the Class B state record in the discus at last year’s state meet, Deer Lodge’s Austin Forson came up just short of matching his 2017 performance. Forson won the discus easily with a throw of 170 feet, 4 inches, but was visibly frustrated and disappointed afterward. He had a much loftier goal in mind than just the Class B state record.
“I was just trying too hard, and nerves got to me,” Forson said. “I wasn’t quite how I normally am. … I was just trying to break my brother’s record.”
Forson’s older brother Brandon, who previously held the state record that Austin broke, still holds the Deer Lodge school record that Austin was searching for, tossing the discus 195-03. This is Austin Forson’s third consecutive State B discus title.
Forsyth well-positioned after first day
The Johnstone twins produced on Day 1 for the Forsyth boys track and field team, positioning the Dogies well going into Day 2. Cade won the Class B 400-meter dash in 49.3 seconds, holding off Florence’s Jethro Thorne down the stretch. Paul placed second in the Class B long jump after Joliet’s Ry Olson lept 22-01 to win.
The Dogies lead the team race with 30 points through five events. Caleb Knoche added a win for Forsyth in the javelin, recording a throw of 169 feet, 3 inches to top Fairfield’s Dawson Allen.
More State B notes
- A pair of Manhattan Tigers crossed the line first in the Class B boys 1,600. Bryce Love defeated teammate Zak Meeker to win the state title, crossing the line in 4:31.55.
- Morley’s Bigfork teammate Haile Norred took home the title in the Class B girls 400-meter dash with a time of 58.91.
- Bigfork’s girls have a sizable lead in the team race after the first day. The Valkyries have scored 44 points through six events, well ahead of Colstrip and Deer Lodge, who are tied for second with 16 points each.
