Malta looking to peak again in post-season

Last season the Malta M-ettes found a good place to have their strongest efforts of the season, earning the team the 2016 State B Title.

Both teams made great strides last season, but both teams also have new looks having graduated many state performers and placers on both squads.

The team has 37 athletes, 17 of which are M-ettes and 20 boys.

The M-ettes have retained a few state performers including the three time state triple jump champion, two time long jump champion and defending 300 hurdle champion senior Sophia Stiles.

"She's back," M-ette Head Coach Tad Schye said. "She's been limited a little because both the boys and girls basketball players have been given a week off because we started track the Monday after State basketball."

A break after making it far into the winter post-season is up to par with how the team has operated in the past.

"They just need to refresh and recharge," Coach Schye said. "We have traditionally done that."

Though the team participated in the Scottie Invitational last Saturday in Glasgow, many of the team members weren't present, not having had enough practices to compete.

"Kids are gone for different reasons," Coach Schye said. "There have been some years that we haven't had our full team into the district meet, just because of music festivals, state music festival, FFA, FCCLA and where Easter falls."

The team will also welcome back senior Jada Nicholson who placed fourth in high jump, Northern B discus runner up junior Ella Schye, junior TaChante Cole who made state in the 1600 and sophomore Kyleigh Schipman who made state in javelin.

The M-ettes also retain Shay Garfield who has started off strong in 2017, taking second place in shot put at the Scottie Invitational last Saturday with a personal best of 32-2.25. Garfield also took second in discus with a throw of 94-1.

The Mustangs will retain Jayce Bishop who took fifth in javelin at state after posting a personal best of 175-1 in the Northern B nearly dethroning reigning champ Benji Phillips of Glasgow who bested him by one inch that day.

Peaking in the post-season is the goal of every team and though Class B introduced State Qualifying standards only a couple of years ago, Coach Schye has found that it hasn't affected the team's competitive nature.

"One thing about coaching Malta athletes is that we are geared to win," Coach Schye said. "Our kids are geared to compete. So, no matter what meet it is, I never feel our kids think it's acceptable to get beat. Now they may get beat but kids that do qualify (for state early) still don't like to lose."

Coach Schye feels that there is one advantage to having kids qualify early, though it isn't an ideal situation.

"The only thing I like about the qualifying standard is if somebody happens to get hurt or sick," Coach Schye said.

Making it far into the post-season often requires athletes to perform at their highest level due to the increased amount of competition.

"The one thing about it is the level of competition increases in the post-season," Coach Schye said. "That's a mental preparation thing."

Cody Werk took seventh in discus at the Scottie Invitational with a personal best of 11-05.

The Mustangs also retained Northern B performers Tel Jensen and Andres Lopes.

The team welcomes several newcomers in the sophomore classes including Tanner Smith that placed third in triple jump with a length of 36-8, fourth in high jump, clearing 5-6.