Charlo wins first track title in 39 years
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MISSOULA—The Charlo boys’ track and field team won the Class C State title for the first time since 1972 at last weekend’s state tournament.
Head Coach Bret Thompson handed out suckers as a reward to his athletes as the entire Charlo track and field team posed for photos. They ended the celebration by gathering in a team huddle, chanting as they held their state title high.
“We all worked hard and we all pushed each other, even during team conditioning,” senior Chance Rosenbaum said. “We all needed to perform well as individuals today, but it’s always been a team effort.”
It truly was a collective effort that helped garner wins in both the 400 and 1,600-meter relays (43:82, 3:31.22). The 400-meter relay team was comprised of sophomore Tra Ludeman, senior Chico Stipe, senior Austin Bauer, and junior Stephen Delaney. The 1,600-meter relay team was comprised of freshman Tyler Delaney, Rosenbaum, Stipe, and Delaney.
Delaney, who was on both winning relay teams, won a handful of individual titles as well. He won the 110-meter hurdles (15.43) and the 300 hurdles (40.01). He also placed third in the 400-meter dash (51.51).
Delaney credited the team’s success to camaraderie both on and off the field.
“We are all close. We all hang out with each other even when we are not at school,” Delaney said. “Once this year we dropped the baton during one of our relay races, but it was never one person’s fault, it was always a team effort.”
“And how about Stephen? He is just impressive. It is people like Stephen who like track and just make the people around him like it and push themselves harder,” Thompson said.
Thompson also credited the leadership of seniors Stipe, Bauer, Rosenbaum and Michael Smith. Bauer placed fourth in the 100-meter dash (11.85) and Rosenbaum was third in the 800 (2:02.41) Smith was fourth in the 1,600-meter run (4:43.11) and the 3,200-meter run (10:32.10).
“Those seniors are leaving some big shoes that need to be filled, but we have some strong freshmen coming up,” Thompson said. “We put together a great team this year.”
The Charlo girls’ finished strong taking fifth at state.
The girls’ Class C 1,600-meter relay was the last event at state, but the Charlo girls’ team made the event worth the wait.
Junior Dawn Blevins ran anchor in the relay and held off both Joliet and Seely-Swan runners in the final 100-meters of the race to win with a time of 4:14.54. It was the girls’ teams first win at the state meet.
The winning relay team included freshman Aspen Runkel, junior Deondra Brown, sophomore Rachel Hoyt, and Blevins.
Blevins was all smiles after the race as she held the baton above her head. Teammates Hoyt, Runkel, and Brown rushed to hug her.
“It feels awesome,” Blevins said, “I was told to run my race and I did.”
Runkel also had a good showing at state according to Thompson. “I think she’s been involved in just about every point on the girls side,” he said.
Runkel was sixth in the 100-meter hurdles (16.46) along with Schaelyn Fell who was sixth (16.79). Runkel also placed second in the 300-meter hurdles (47.14) and fourth in the 400-meter dash (1:01.50). The 400-meter relay team was third (52.24).
