Simonson, Warren Break Records

Two Whitewater Penguins and a pair of Dodson Coyotes were unleashed upon Great Falls lat Friday and Saturday for the Class C State track and field meet. While neither school posted points, the teams should have plenty to be proud of, after showing such effort at the meet.

Penguins Kourtney Simonson and Jeret Warren both posted personal bests in their running events.

Kourtney Simonson placed seventh in the 400, but she placed, whilst breaking records. She set a new personal and school best with her time of 1:02.29, which is minus 2.59 seconds faster than her personal best and .17 seconds faster than Mandy Olsen's old record time of 1:02.46.

Simonson also bested her previous personal best and a school record in the 800 meter dash. Her time was 2:27.54, which was also four seconds faster than her best on the year. She placed eighth in the event.

Penguin Jeret Warren, also beat his previous best in the 1600 meter run. He posted a time of 4:42, which seems almost super-human. His previous record was 4:51, nearly nine seconds slower. He placed eighth in the event.

"Keira Simonson was one of the top twenty in discus in the state and that's what she walked away with," siad Coach Wasson.

This was encouraging, in the fact that this was Keira's first year of high school track, since an injury kept her from the sport since seventh grade.

"I always hate when the season ends," said Coach Wasson. "I really do miss the track season (after school ends). The kids performed so well at the state track meet and you wish you had threeor four track meets to go," she continued, noting how the weather was finally starting to get nice.

She applauded the hard work of all of her Penguins and noted that going to all the events was fun, because of their efforts.

DODSON

The chase for the school record in high jump came to a close for Nick Bear, who still put up quite a fight at state.

Bear cleared 5'8", before eventually ending his day unable to clear 5'10" at state.

All in all Bear has had a terrific year along with teammate Jesse Stephens, who made the chase a blast to follow.

Raven Bear qualified for two final rounds at state, however she was unable to place.

She ran the 1600 meter dash in 6:24.80 and the 3200 in 14:36.70 for her qualifying times.

While her 3200 time dropped to 14:17.45, in the finals, her finals time in the 800 suffered as she ran 6:33.66.

"It was nice having them finish the season by going to state and everything," said Coach Randy Domire. I was proud of them for making it that far. It was a good season."

Saco's Charlotte Jolley did not participate due to another academic engagement.

All three schools gave their communities something to be proud of this year.

With up and coming athletes in each of the three schools, the track season should be even better.

Dodson has the only coaching change, with Randy Domire stepping down from his post at Dodson schools. There is no official word on who will take over his duties as of today.

With the emergence of Saco's Charlotte Jolley, the team will hope to build up her potential for next year.

Whitewater will have Jeret Warren and Kourtney Simonson for one more year and the arrival of Trace Simonson could add more beef along with other male athletes joining in hopes to prepare a relay team.