The Jefferson High School track and field teams turned in a strong showing at the large, competitive Bronc Invitational meet in Hamilton on Saturday, highlighted by a runner-up team finish from the girls squad and several impressive individual performances.
The Lady Panthers scored 64 points to claim second place behind Custer County (73.33). Frenchtown (48.37), Hamilton (47.33) and Loyola (40) rounded out the top five in a deep field of mostly Class A schools.
Jefferson’s boys team placed fifth with 38 points. Host Hamilton won the boys title with 57 points, followed closely by Corvallis (56) and Big Fork (54).
Leading the way for Jefferson was the boys 4×100 relay team of Zeke Dove, Tyler Frydenlund, Caleb Morris and Xavier Wetzel, which captured first place in 44.33 seconds. Dove placed 7th in the 100 meter race with a time of 11.78; Wetzel was 9th in 11.88. Frydenlund was 7th in the 400 in 11.78, and McKenon Boyd third at 800 meters (2:08.20).
John Quigley claimed a top finish in the high jump, clearing 6 feet, 2 inches, with Colten Thornock just behind in 4th at 6 feet and Xavier Wetzel 8th, 5’8”. And Cooper Mikesell was 3rd in the pole vault, with a leap of 12’6”.
On the girls side, McKinleigh Doherty sprinted to a first-place finish in the 200 meters (26.09), with Allie Muffick 4th (28.79). Ryleigh Doherty placed 5th in the 100 (13.23), with Emma Good 7th (21:16) and Marlee Sarchet 8th (21:46). Juliet Bell finished 7th in the 400, at 1:04.28. And Peyton Stears was 5th at 800 meters, in 2:30.92. The girls 4×100 relay team added a fourth-place finish.
Joslyn Buckley dominated the throwing events with a win in the javelin (113-7) and a runner-up finish in the discus (112-8). Muffick was fourth in both the javelin (109’11”) and the shot put (36’1”). And London Ostby placed 7th in the javelin (108’4”) and 6th in the discus (106’3”).
Looking forward to the first JHS Invitational coming up April 24, another nice showcase for Jefferson High’s new track.
Tennis romps
The Panther tennis teams also had a packed and successful week, competing Thursday in Missoula against Loyola Sacred Heart and Superior before traveling to Belgrade for the Three Forks Invitational on Friday.
Jefferson’s girls singles players were dominant, sweeping nine matches. They were led by Bailee Silvonen, Teagan Silvonen and Lainey Wilson, who each recorded multiple convincing wins. Evelyn Hansen and Caia Dellwo also added victories.
In doubles play, combinations featuring Hansen, Dellwo, Wilson and Teagan Silvonen consistently controlled matches, with seven decisive wins.
On the boys side, Izaak Luhrsen led the charge with five victories in singles play, while Austin Lachney and Kale Strozewski added multiple wins of their own. Hudson Hill also contributed a solid performance, picking up several victories as the Panthers took all but one of their matches.
The momentum carried into Friday’s tournament in Belgrade, where Jefferson players continued to find success. Bailee Silvonen and Hansen highlighted the girls results with multiple wins against Broadwater, Granite, Red Lodge and Three Forks, while Teagan Silvonen and Caia Dellwo also turned in strong performances.
For the boys, Luhrsen, Lachney and Hill each recorded wins in singles competition, and the doubles team of Luhrsen and Lachney secured a victory as well. In all, the girls and boys dropped just two of 16 matches.
Golf hosts
The Panther golfers hosted the JHS Invitational on Monday at Green Meadow County Club in Helena.
The Jefferson boys placed fourth out of nine schools, behind winner Manhattan, Ennis and Florence-Carlton. Tanner Lee led the team with an 82, 11 over par, tying for third place. Carter Lee placed seventh at 83, and Bridger Harris was 24th at 91. Dylan Caissey shot 95, Cole Meredith 98, and Dayten Groth 105 to round out the scoring.
For the girls, Alivia Logan shot at 95 for second place, while senior Shae Jones-Moore finished sixth with 99. Eryn Lindsay carded a 108 to tie for 14th.
