Mustangs second in 2B meet

The Malta Mustangs took second place at the District 2B Meet in Wolf Point last Saturday, winning nine events, on a day that was not as sunny or warm as it was forecasted.

The Mustangs will see action this Saturday in Glasgow at the 2019 Northern B Divisional Track Meet.

Not only did Malta sophomore Cormac Benn retain his district titles in high jump and long jump, Benn also won the 300 hurdles.

"We have been doing really good today," Benn said. "Everybody is working hard this season."

Benn and teammate Tanner Smith were gridlocked in a jump-off as both cleared 5-10 and eventually were unable to clear 6-0. The teammates each attempted 6-0 three times before the judges lowered the height to 5-11. After three attemps at 5-11, the bar was lowered to 5-10, and Benn cleared the height on his second attempt, giving him the win in the event.

After having 14 total jumps in the high jump event, Benn had to run across the Wolf Point football field to make the long jump, which he won with a leap of 19-10.5.

"We barely jump in practice," Benn said. "We probably have practiced high jump only two or three times. I think I finally have my form figured out."

Benn went on to say that he was mad he couldn't clear 6-0 in high jump, stating that he took it out on the long jump event.

"That made me jump further," Benn said.

Benn would also win the 300 hurdles with a time of 44.48. He took second in triple jump with a mark at 41-09.

"Tanner (Smith) got me by an inch," Benn said of the triple jump. "I scratched a 42-4."

Michael Pugh took first in the 100 with a time of 11.99 and first in the 200 with a time of 24.06. Pugh also took second in the 400 with a personal best of 53.02. Pugh was also third in long jump by clearing 18-06.25.

Smith won the triple jump with a length of 41-10. Smith also took second in high jump by clearing 5-10 and second in long jump with a leap of 19-03.50. Smith took fourth in the 200 with a time of 24.59.

Andres Lopez won shot put with a throw of 46-06.50. Lopez also took third in javelin with a throw of 137-11.50, third in the 100 with a time of 12.27, and fifth in discus with a throw of 117-04.

Parker Mortenson won the 110 hurdles in his first time posting a time. His time was 18.85. "I counted my steps between them," Mortenson said. "It's a mental game and you just have to tell yourself to get over them."

Mortenson hit a few hurdles during his run and was nearly eliminated by a lane violation, but after officials checked the rule book, Mortenson was crowned the 110 hurdle champion. Mortenson shared what he has to do to improve.

"Practice, practice, practice and just get better from there," Mortenson said.

Zac Judd took third place in the 110 hurdles with a personal best of 19.58. Kanyon Stiles took fourth with a time of 20.77 and Connor Tuss placed fifth with a time of 22.29.

Both relay teams qualified for the divisional meet. The short relay team consisting of Pugh, Benn, Lopez and Smith took first place with a time of 45.17.

"We did pretty good considering it's cold and windy," Benn said. "We were really just hoping to get it around the track because that's all we had to do."

The long relay team consisting of Keigo Kawai, Mortenson, Rex Williamson, and Kooper Oxarart took third with a time of 4:03.74.

Cordel Salsbery took fourth place in shot put and discus with a throw of 41-09 and fourth in discus with a throw of 117-08. Both marks were personal bests for Salsbery.