M-ettes fourth at Fergus Invitational

The Malta M-ettes fared well at the 10-team Fergus Invitational last Saturday, April 17, taking third overall as a team that day.

The M-ettes also went back to Fergus High School for a Twilight meet on Tuesday, April 20, details about that event will be in next week’s Phillips County News.

Originally, Malta was scheduled to host the Malta Athletic Club Invitational last Tuesday, but the meet conflicted with other meets in the region, and only three teams showed interest. The school opted to cancel the event.

“I’m disappointed to see it canceled because it’s always fun to see everyone from the community have a chance to come down and see the meet,” Coach Smith said. “But, what can you do? We are living through the years of the unexpected.”

The Fergus Invitational was won by the hometown Fergus Lady Eagles, who scored 124 points. Harlowtown-Ryegate was second with 100.5 points, Malta was third with 69 points, Havre was fourth with 65 points, Belt was fifth with 51.5 points, and Park was sixth with 48 points.

The M-ettes were led by senior Erica Smith who won the javelin event in her second time competing in the throwing contest. Smith set a new personal best of 97-5.

“I’m excited for her,” Coach Smith said.

She also said that she was proud to see her pick up the javelin after having no prior experience in the event.

Smith also won the triple jump with a season’s best of 33-6. Smith was second in long jump by clearing 15-0.5.

Almost every javelin thrower on the M-ette and Mustang teams improved their bests. Of the M-ettes, eight of nine improved, and two of three Mustang throwers saw a personal best.

“I am so excited for all of them, especially because they improved in javelin, which was my biggest passion, so it’s exciting to see everyone excelling,” Coach Smith said.

Skylie Lefdahl was second in discus with a throw of 109-03. Lefdahl also placed sixth in shot put with a new personal best of 31-1. She also set a new best in javelin with a throw of 71-10.

Laynee Ophus was second in high jump by clearing 4-6. Ophus also posted new bests in the 300 hurdles and long jump. She ran the 300 hurdles in 1:00.04 and had a leap of 12-5 in long jump.

Tia Siewing was third in shot put with a throw of 33-5 and tenth in discus with a throw of 77-03. She also had a new best of 74-11 in javelin.

Allison Kunze was third in the 200 meter dash with a time of 28.20 seconds, a new personal best. Kunze was seventh in triple jump with a new best of 29-6.5 and ninth in long jump with a best of 13-8.5.

The Short Relay team consisting of Leslie Young, Madison Williamson, Allison Kunze, and Erica Smith took fourth place with a time of 54.19.

Gracie Honey took fourth in the 800 with a time of 2:47.03. Honey was also fifth in the 1600 with a personal best of 6:26.21.

Madison Williamson was fifth in triple jump with a mark left at 30-10. Williamson was ninth in the 200 with a new best of 29.38 and tenth in the 100 with a time of 14.25.

Lauren Tuss was eighth in shot put with a personal best of 28-11. She also had a personal best in javelin, posting a throw of 81-5, which was good enough for eighth.

Giona Lamb was fifth in javelin with a throw of 85-3. Lamb set a new best in shot put of 28-1 and a new best of 66-2 in discus.

Madyson Warburton was seventh in high jump after clearing 4-0.

Rylee Hines was ninth in discus with a new personal best of 79-10. Hines also set a new best of 55-2 in javelin.