Congratulations to Dalton Noble and Tavan McMaster for sharing the Helena Independent Record’s All-Area Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year Award.
These gentle giants at Jefferson High School played big parts in the Panthers’ four-peat Class B state track and field title. Noble took first at the State meet in the shot put with a throw of 58’ 2”, a new school record. McMaster took second in the shot put and was state champion in the discus throw — 166’ 4”, also a school record.
Together, the two throwers accounted for 34 of the Panthers’ 90 team points. Luke Mest, who finished second at State in both the 1600 and 3200 races, single-handedly provided 16 points more — and he, too, was named to the Independent Record’s all-area team. Mest’s time in the 3200, 9:38, set another JHS mark.
And MacKenzie Layng now holds the school record in the javelin throw, with 120’ 1”. She became the first girl in JHS history to be named all-state in three sports in the same year.
Open gyms have started at the high school for volleyball, basketball and wrestling. Both gyms will receive a new coat of finish this summer and will welcome the students in the fall with a shiny floor. The custodial staff has been cleaning and waxing the classrooms and halls, and thanks to them the school will be a welcome sight for the first day of school on Aug. 27.
