Penguins Return Eight That Reached Divisionals

The Whitewater Track Teams had a total of 11 athletes combined in 2024 and four of those athletes have experience at state.

The team welcomes back seniors Ava Hanley, Kendall Scheffelmear and Paige Wasson, juniors Shelbi LaBrie and Korbyn Skubinna, sophomores Sommer Green, Tyler Scheffelmear, and Kennedy Simonson.

The team welcomes freshmen Mylee Clark and Kenan LaBrie as well as eighth grader Gracie Wasson.

The teams were stuck inside for the first six practices but thanks to the efforts of the school's superintendent, the team was able to get some outdoor practices in.

"Our track was set up early thanks to Mr. Cummings who drug, rolled, and packed it," Coach Wasson said. "The moisture we have received should make it solid for the season."

Coach Wasson was asked to describe this year's team and her answer makes this year's waddle of Penguins seem ferocious.

"We come into the season with a bit of fire and determination and when the rubber meets the road the kids work to get better," Coach Wasson said. "We have an easy bunch of athletes who want to compete and compete at a high level. I look at this group of 11 and see them reaching new potentials this year. We have some strong leaders in our groups who push the pace in running workouts and for our throwers, we are fortunate to have some young hungry individuals who want to improve. I would classify this team as gritty competitors. They don't like to lose."

Last season, Shelbi LaBrie broke four school records, three in individual events and one as part of the 4x400 relay team. LaBrie was the state champion in the 1600 with a time of 5:15.63, second in the 3200m (11:30.60), fourth in the 800m (2:19.63), and 7th in the 4 x 400 relay 4:18.91 which became a new school record for Kora LaBrie, Kendall Scheffelmear, Shelbi LaBrie and Paige Wasson, according to Coach Wasson.

P. Wasson was second in the state javelin event with a throw of 128-9, a school record.

Scheffelmear had two personal bests. She had a time of 17.71 in the 100 hurdles.

All eight of Whitewater's returning athletes participated in the divisional meet last year. Coach Wasson documented what each athlete will likely be competing in this year.

Coach Wasson's notes: Korbyn Skubinna and Tyler Scheffelmear for the boys saw some experience and growth in their track season last year and I am looking for them to return and make a run at State. Korbyn is doing pole vault, 100-meter dash, and 400-meter dash while Tyler is throwing shot put, discus, and javelin.

On the girl's side, Ava Hanley had a rough Divisional Meet last year because she pulled her hip flexor making it tough to compete. Her season fell short but she is fired up and ready to go this year being her last competing in the 100-meter hurdles, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 4 x 100 relay, and some 300-meter hurdles.

Kennedy Simonson was 6 feet away from making it to the State track meet in the javelin as a freshman and she was our alternate on the 4 x 400 relay all season letting her make the trip to state and experience the atmosphere. She will throw the discus and javelin, compete on both relays, and throw some other running events in when she can.

Sommer Green had to pull back during the season last year due to a pesky knee that needed a little healing after basketball season. She is ready to compete this year in the three throwing events.

The freshmen and 8th graders will only add depth to our squad. Kenan LaBrie will likely see a lot of action towards the end of April and the first part of May throwing the shot put, discus, and javelin. He is recovering from a knee injury suffered at the State Wrestling meet. Mylee Clark and Gracie Wasson will add value to our girl's team. Mylee will compete in shot put, discus, and 100-meter dash and add the javelin sometime this season. Gracie Wasson is competing in the 100-meter hurdles, pole vault, 4 x 100 relay, and adding javelin later in the season.

Whitewater Schools Track & Field 2024 Schedule

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ACCORDING TO WHITEWATER SCHOOL AS OF MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024

DAY DATE EVENT SITE

Saturday March 23 Scobey Indoor Meet Williston, ND

Friday March 29 Glasgow Invitational Glasgow

Saturday April 10 Cal Wearley Invitational Havre

Saturday April 13 NE Invitational Wolf Point

Thursday April 18 Savage Invitational Sidney

(we will pick between the above and below meet to go to not both)

Saturday April 20 Sidney Invitational Sidney

Friday April 26 Whitewater Invitational Whitewater

Tuesday April 30 Norm Girard Top 10 Glasgow

Saturday May 4 Jean Dreikosen Meet Glasgow

Saturday May 11 District Track Meet Wolf Point

Thursday May 16 Divisional Track Meet Wolf Point

Fri. - Sat. May 24-25 State Track Meet Great Falls

------- WHITEWATER MIDDLE SCHOOL --------

Saturday April 13 Glasgow Invitational Glasgow

Saturday April 20 Havre Invitational Havre

Saturday April 27 Malta Invitational Malta

Friday May 3 Whitewater Invitational Whitewater

Friday May 10 District 3C Meet Glasgow