BELGRADE — The Manhattan girls track and field team proved once again that it is the best Class B team in southwest Montana as the Tigers won their second consecutive District 5B title on Thursday in Belgrade.
Manhattan (165) held off Three Forks (145) by 20 points to claim the title. Hallie Hemenway led the Tigers with wins in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter races. Olleca Severson added a win in the 100-meter hurdles, while Madeline Severson notched a win in the high jump clearing 5 feet, 1 inch. Finally, Maci St. Cyr added on more individual win for the Tigers in the pole vault after clearing 8-00. The Tigers also added a win in the 400-meter relay.
Kendall Lynn of Three Forks claimed victories in two events, the long jump and triple jump, while her teammate Paeton Ohs notched wins in the javelin and discus.
On the boys side, Townsend came away with the district crown with 141 total points. The Bulldogs’ Kameron Rauser took first in the 400-meter race and the 110-meter hurdles. He was also one leg of the winning 400-meter relay team for Townsend.
Jefferson finished as the runner-up, tallying 120.5 points. Avery Stiles dominated in the field, finishing first in the high jump at 6-0, triple jump (42-01.50), and long jump (21-02).
Big Timber’s Casey Gunlikson, one of the best sprinters in Montana, won both the 100- and 200-meter dashes as his Herders finished tied for fourth with Three Forks.
While the Manhattan girls finished first, the Tiger boys team took third place at districts. Manhattan, known for its distance runners, saw senior Zak Meeker win both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs. In both races, his teammate Bryce Love finished in second. The Tigers also stacked the field in the 800-meter race, claiming the top four spots, led by Wyatt Barney. They also won the 1,600-meter relay.
Here are the final team scores from the District 5B meet:
Boys:
1. Townsend (141)
2. Jefferson (120.5)
3. Manhattan (113)
T4. Three Forks (65)
T4. Big Timber (65)
6. Whitehall (16.5)
Girls:
1. Manhattan (165)
2. Three Forks (145)
3. Big Timber (65)
4. Whitehall (52)
5. Jefferson (49.5)
6. Townsend (46.5)
For full results from the District 5B track meet, click here.
