Mustangs fourth at Havre Invitational

The Malta Mustangs track team took fourth at the windy Havre Invitational meet last Saturday, April 10.

The Fort Benton Longhorns won the event with 131 points. Fergus was second with 61 points. Havre, of Class A, was third with 55.5 points, and Malta was fourth with 47 points.

The Mustangs are scheduled to compete in Lewistown on Saturday, April 17, and then at the Malta Athletic Club Invitational on Tuesday, April 20.

In Havre, the Mustangs were led by junior Cash Salsbery who took first in the shot put and discus events. Salsbery had a throw of 154-3 in discus, a new personal best that qualified for state. The State B qualifying mark for discus is 137.

Salsbery had a new best of 44-3.25 in shot put, just edging out Mustang football teammate, Beau Simonson of Whitewater in the final two throws of the finals. Salsbery posted a best of 44-3.25 and Simonson had a new best of 43-8.5

"I feel great but I feel like I can improve a lot more," Salsbery said. "I know that there are things that I can work on, which is the best thing possible because if I was at my best right now, I (wouldn't reach my full potential.)"

As far as going head to head with Simonson, Salsbery said that he enjoys the competition.

"In 2019, I didn't even make it out of districts and I am kind of coming out for blood," Salsbery said. "I have worked really hard. It's fun working against Beau. We are football teammates, so we have that friendship."

Junior David Pitman took second place in discus with a personal best of 150-0.

Junior Connor Tuss took third place in high jump by clearing 5-10, a new personal best.

"I have been working on my form all week because practice makes perfect," Tuss said.

Tuss was asked how it was being back in track.

"Right now, I am kind of cold and this wind does not help," Tuss said. "But I am feeling pretty good. I have to work on the little things."

Regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tuss would've missed most or all of the season due to a leg injury, so Tuss believes that the time off helped him heal.

"I think the break from school and everything helped me heal," Tuss said. "I got my rehab done, and now I am back and better than ever."

The short relay team consisting of Rex Williamson, Gavin Slade, RC Skiff and Kyle Darrington took third place with a time of 48.24. The team posted an identical time in Glasgow on Saturday, April 1.

The long relay team consisting of Skiff, Tuss, Camryn Mears and Williamson took fourth with a time of 4:04.

Darrington, a freshman, took fourth in the 400 with a time of 58.2 seconds.

The Cal Wearley Memorial that was set for Wednesday, March 31, was postponed.