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Friday, May 8, 2015

2 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, May 8, 2015

Hamilton senior training for college level competition AMY CONKEL

ably my legs.”

The Hamilton girls’ team works together to give other schools a Track and field is a big part of the Hamilton High School athletics run for their money as the season comes to a close, and the state department and allows the students to be active during the spring title is coming up for grabs. as the other sports come to a close.

“I believe that the Hamilton girls’ team will Annika Moore is a dedicated senior at give Corvallis girls’ team good competition HHS. She participates in the triple jump, at state this year,” said Moore. “We have an long jump, 100-meter dash, and is the awesome track and field program that has anchor of 4x100 meter relay. a very encouraging and supportive atmoMoore was Class A state champion in the sphere between the coaches and athletes. I triple jump in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. Her have really enjoyed training with the jumping goal for this season is to beat her personal coach, Mr. Holland, and the sprinting coach, records in every event and would love to Mr. [John] Stromberg.” achieve a third state title in State A triple Moore gives her best shot in all of the jump. events that she participates in, and it pays “I have participated in track and field off in the long haul for what she gives to the since middle school, where I certainly never team. She is a spirited girl, who is very hard succeeded in any event, and only started working on and off of the track field. jumping my freshman year,” Moore said.

Moore is a dedicated student in all of her Moore has come a long way from when activities in and outside of school. She parshe first started, and continues to improve ticipates in the HHS Key Club and National and progress.

Honor Society, as well as taking Advanced “The jumping events are my favorite, Placement classes to challenge herself in her mostly the triple jump,” she said. “Because studies. of the fact that the events consist of three She stands out in the school atmosphere to six attempts to push as far as I can go — and will do well wherever she goes, after her whereas with running and sprinting events, I high school years are completed this spring. only get one shot to do my best.”

Moore brings her good attitude onto the “Annika is one of the most amazing kids track that helps her do her best in all of her I have ever met,” said HHS jumping coach events and is certainly worth watching durScott Holland. “For all of her successes ing the meets that take place. She is a great Photo provided by Diane Weeks that she has had throughout high school competitor for the other schools’ athletes to Hamilton High School senior Annika Moore competing with academics and athletics, she has a in the triple jump. Moore was Class A state champion in go up against. the triple jump, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 and her goal demeanor that is humble and sweet. She Moore is a good example for other student for the season is to achieve a third state title. makes all of us proud who get to interact athletes to look at and take after in her hardand be around her, and she has a way of working endurance and perseverance. Her finding success with whatever she puts her mind to.” attitude helps her in her events and makes the meets more enjoyMoore’s personal records for track and field are as follows: triple able. jump – 37 feet 2 inches, 100-meter dash in 12.9 seconds, and for the Moore said, “I feel very fortunate to have had this experience and long jump 16 feet 7 inches. She is motivated to see how far she can would encourage anyone who enjoys the sport of track and field to push herself as an athlete and is currently training for college-level give it their all, because with hard work you can be your best and competition next year at Carroll College. that is always good enough.”

When asked what strength she brought to the team Moore said, “Hard to say, but I guess it would be my perseverance ... and probRavalli Republic

Ravalli Republic, Friday, May 8, 2015 - 3

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4 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, May 8, 2015

Stevi senior looking forward to the next level MICHELLE McCONNAHA

to want to make my own electronic gadgets, but I didn’t know how they worked so when I got older I started playing with computers.

STEVENSVILLE -- Senior Jadin Casey is a lightning-quick runner I’ve taken two computer classes online. Computers need a lot of who appreciates the opportunities he’s been given at Stevensville math and organization. I know math and I’m organized - in computHigh School, and is looking for a Division I scholarship. ers.

He said being on the Stevensville team is uplifting.

“MSU and Humboldt State University are both options, where “I just like the supportive attitudes of they would offer me a little money for track, everyone on the team trying to help everyand Utah State University accepted me and one else do their best every meet,” Casey gave me a place on the team but no scholsaid. arship yet. Those are my options and I’ll “My dad used to run track when he was probably go to USU because they have one in high school and he got a scholarship, of the better track teams in the nation. and so I’ve just always been interested “I’ll miss being a Yellow Jacket, but it will in running track since I was a little kid. I be nice to go to a college with a rubbercouldn’t wait to be old enough to be on a ized track and equipment.” team in middle school.”

Ron Lords is the track coach at SHS. His events for SHS track and field include “He’s a well-rounded coach that knows the 100-meter dash (11.47 pr), 200 dash, a lot about everything,” said Casey. “He 400 dash (49.73 pr), 300 hurdles, high jump helps kids with their jumping events and and the relays (look for him in the fourth kids who like sprinting and hurdles. We position on the relay team). don’t have a lot of coaches at Stevi so it is “My goal for track is that I want to run a usually just him and his son and our throwsub 49 second 400,” he said. “That means ing coach. But he’s a great help to all the I’d love to run the distance in 48 point anykids. He’s always trying to encourage kids thing. I’m tall and I run a lot on my own to push their comfort zones and compete time and I work hard to be competitive. in events that maybe they didn’t think they “We don’t have the best facilities for wanted to – just to find out what their limits track, but no one really complains. We just are.” go to our meets and take advantage of our “I’ve had Jadin Casey for a number of meets as our practices – and we get to use years he is excellent and a really good kid PROVIDED PHOTO Kim Roth-Creative Kim Photography who does everything I tell him to do and the equipment at the meets. Throughout “My goal for track is that I want to run a sub 49 second 400,” the year we try to ‘best’ our own perforthen some,” said Lords. “He is a really Casey said. “That means I’d love to run the distance in 48 mances. point anything. I’m tall and I run a lot on my own time and I good competitor. He works hard and trains “I’ve jumped 6 feet this year, but we can’t work hard to be competitive.” hard and is having good time with great really practice the high jump. We don’t have the gear – we do what success this year. We’re looking forward to him taking state in the we can.”

400. He has the ability to win that at state. I think he can do it.”

Casey said he runs all the time except for when he’s doing home“Casey is really excelling in track and field right now,” said Nate work.

Fry, SHS athletic director.

“Usually I spend every day after practice doing homework. I have Casey said he would recommend other SHS students participate two AP classes and two honor classes, so I’m really busy.” in track.

Casey said he wants to continue to run in college and study his “Even if you aren’t the fastest – or even if you don’t like to run it’s other passion – computers. not that difficult,” Casey said. “You can still go out for fun and hang “I want to get a scholarship in track to go to college,” he said. “I out with your friends and meet a whole lot of people at the track want to go to a Division I school – to study computer science. I used meets.”

Ravalli Republic

Ravalli Republic, Friday, May 8, 2015 - 5

Pekoc going for title in both doubles and singles

By BILL SPELTZ

Still, Pekoc’s health issue persisted beyond that sweltering day in Billings.

CORVALLIS – D.J. Pekoc thinks about May 23, 2014, probably “I ended up going to a doctor because the cramping continued more than he should. out of high school season play,” he said. “I ended up getting some Anyone in his shoes would. For all the wins the cat-quick senior supplements and stuff to help. Then I started doing a lot of prehas collected as a tennis standout at Corvallis – he has two state match stretching and working on better nutrition.” doubles titles to his credit – it is his The changes have paid off. Pekoc loss in the State A singles final last won the Western Montana Open year in Billings that remains foremost 18-and-under boys’ singles last July in his mind. in Missoula, fighting through energy“I was doing well and cramps sapping heat. This spring he has yet ended up killing me in the end,” he to be seriously tested in singles and said. “I was up 6-2, 4-0 – two games recently steamrolled over three Class away. It was definitely a bummer. But AA opponents in Missoula. there’s a lesson to learn from every“He is so motivated right now,” thing.” said Mitchell Decker, Pekoc’s close Almost from the time he left friend and hitting partner in pracBillings, Pekoc has pointed to this tice. “He shows up to practice every year’s State A meet on May 21-22 day and he’s taking the actions of a in Missoula. Not just in the way he leader. pushes himself to improve on the ten“He’s always wanting to improve nis court but in the way he handles his game. He’s a powerful player and himself off the court. he’s going to run me for as long as I “You know my heart really broke for let him. He’s an aggressive player but him that day,” Corvallis coach Chris he’s not afraid to play a little defense Maul-Smith said of last year’s state if he needs to.” singles final. “We were trying to figure Pekoc’s advanced game has out a way to help his body come back, garnered attention from college but also realizing that there was too coaches. Next year he will play tennis much depleted from those muscles. It for NCAA Division III Pacific Lutheran was heart-wrenching to watch, crushin Tacoma, Washington. ing to him.

“He practices like he plays,” Maul“But at the same time I saw a huge Smith said of his senior, who has amount of courage as he hobbled been working especially hard on his TOM BAUER - Missoulian around and went after shots and serve and volleys. “He considers all Corvallis senior D.J. Pekoc hits during practice this week at the school. you knew his muscles were going to Pekoc has two state doubles titles and is looking for a State A singles title aspects of his game and his attitude cramp. I felt bad for him but I was also after a cramping issue took him out of the singles final last year. is there’s no difference between pracreally proud of him. He decided he tice and a match. wanted to take the bus home after the match and on the trip home “And one thing I like is he’s very gracious in sharing his skills with we talked a lot.” other people on the team in terms of being a leader and a captain.

He welcomes everybody to the court and takes time to encourage Pekoc made it a personal mission to resolve his cramping issues. others. While he is preparing for state as a player, he has also helped He quit taking Mountain Dew onto the court for each match, a policy bring on the underclassmen.” that has also been adopted by the Blue Devils program: No caffeine on match day.

Pekoc is no stranger to the state tournament stage. Besides his For

the

Ravalli Republic

6 - Ravalli Republic, Friday, May 8, 2015

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success in tennis, he played an integral role on the Blue Devils’ State A champion soccer team last fall.

Soccer has helped Pekoc improve his endurance and footwork, complementing a fighting spirit that has been prevalent from the start. As for his insatiable desire to improve, Pekoc will tell you his friends planted that seed long ago.

“I moved here in first grade and started tennis when I was 10 and tennis was a big thing back then,” he recalled. “I had a lot of friends that played, like my (state) doubles partner Bridger Walczynski and Mitchell Becker, who also played for Corvallis.

“We’d always just go down and hit, always traveled to tournaments together. I’m younger than them so I wanted to get better so I could play in their division. They’re both assistant coaching this year for Corvallis. It’s a good advantage in practice. It’s really great to get some really good difficult matches in so I don’t get rusty.”

Maul-Smith has seen a change in Pekoc’s game this season.

“He’s always been a very confident player, but his level of confidence right now is I’ve got all aspects under control,” the coach said.

“Bridger and Mitchell can really push him, so it’s nice to have them support the team.

“D.J. is willing to play an all-court game. He has the power when he needs it but then here comes the drop shot, the angle, the serve, both flat and kick serve. He’s willing to mix things up so when he sees what an opponent is doing he will make an adjustment.”

Should he make the state singles final a second year in a row, there’s a chance Pekoc will face the same boy that beat him in three sets last year. Jeff Miller of Havre is intent on defending his crown after outlasting Pekoc by a score that might best be described as bizarre, 3-6, 7-5, 2-3, default.

The part of that day largely overlooked is Pekoc’s impressive semifinal win over the two-time defending state champion, Dillon Meyer of Billings Central, by the score of 6-2, 6-3. That victory, perhaps more than any other, gives Pekoc reason to believe he can climb to the top of the mountain in May. “It would be great,” he offered. “Just to have a title in both doubles and singles, because that’s what a lot of colleges are looking for is someone who can play both. It would also help with our team points.

“The pressure is a little different than doubles. I mean I had a great partner (Bridger Walczynski) and whenever I’d double-fault or get into a little slump, he was always there to pick me up and get my head straight. Singles you have to do that yourself, although I do have friends cheering me on and helping me get my head out.”

Regardless of what transpires the rest of the season, you can bet Pekoc will take the same work ethic and likable personality to college. The Blue Devils’ loss will be Pacific Lutheran’s gain.

“He’s like a brother to me and around me he’s absolutely hilarious,” Decker confided. “He’s really a great guy.”

Ravalli Republic, Friday, May 8, 2015 - 7

2015 Montana Masters Meet

By ANNE WEBER For

the

Ravalli Republic

The Hamilton Masters Swim Team took fifth place out of 16 teams at the 2015 Montana Masters state swim meet which was held in Polson, March 21 and 22. There were over 150 total swimmers from 18 to 92 years of age.

The Hamilton team was represented by 12 swimmers who are members of the Canyons Athletic Club Masters team. Swimmers include Barb Jackson, Pat Hastings, Richmond Grant, Donn Livoni, Gayle Phillips, John Croft, Anne Weber, Richard Weber, Kristen Weese, Susie Thomas, Mandy Barnings, and Helen Montgomery and range in age from 35- 85.

Eight of the Hamilton competitors had personal bests in one or more races; and five broke state records.

Photo Provided The Hamilton Masters group is coached by (Back row) Richard Weber, Donn Livoni, Gayle Phillips, Richmond Grant and (front row) Susie Thomas, Anne Weber, Mandy Barnings, Kristen Weese (coach), Barb Jackson and Pat Hastings are some of the members of Kristen Weese. the Hamilton Masters Swim Team. They took 5th place out of 16 teams at the 2015 Montana Masters state swim meet in Polson.

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Meet results: Barb Jackson (age 85-89) swam the 50 breaststroke, and the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke. She placed 1st in all of her races, but also broke the state records in every one.

Richmond Grant (age 85-59) swam the 50 breaststroke, 50 backstroke, and 50 and 100 freestyle. He also placed 1st in every race and broke the state records in all.

Pat Hastings (age 75-79) took 1st in all of her races, and in addition, set a state record in the 50 breaststroke, and swam a personal best in the 100 backstroke. Her other races were the 50 and 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, and 100 breaststroke.

Donn Livoni (age 65-69) swam 8 races, placing first in all but one of them. He swam personal best times in the 500 and 1650 freestyle.

His races were the 50 breast, 50 back, and 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 1650 freestyle.

Gayle Phillips (age 65 – 69) swam personal best times in all but one of his races. He set a state record in the 200 IM, and took 1st place in the 50 free, 50 fly, 100 back, 100 IM, and 2nd in the 50 breaststroke.

John Croft (age 65-69) swam a personal best in the 200 free, taking 3rd place. He also took 2nd place in the 500 and 1650 freestyle, and 5th place in the 50 free.

Anne Weber (age 60-64) swam a personal best in the 100 freestyle, taking 2nd place. She also took 2nd place in the 50 free and 200 breast; 3rd place in the 50 breast and 100 IM; and 4th place in the 100 breaststroke.

Richard Weber (age 60-64) swam eight races, with three of them being personal best times. He took 1st in the 50 and 100 butterfly and the 100 IM; 2nd in the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke and the 200 IM; and 5th place in the 50 free.

Mandy Barnings (age 45-49) set a new state record in the 50 backstroke; swam personal bests in the 50 breast and 100 IM; and came in 1st in the 50 and 100 back and the 100 IM; 2nd in the 50 and 100 free, and 3rd in the 50 breaststroke.

Susie Thomas (age 45-49) took 1st place in the 500 free; 3rd in the 200 free; 4th in the 50 free, 100 and 200 breaststroke and 5th in the 50 breast.

Helen Montgomery, (age 35-39) swimming for the first time with the Canyons Master team, swam 2 races, taking 3rd place in each of them, the 50 fly and the 100 free.

Kristen Weese (age 45-49) doubling up as coach and swimmer, took 1st place in the 50 and 100 butterfly; 2nd in the 100 IM; and 4th in the 50 breaststroke with a personal best time.

The Canyons Master team is grateful for the guidance of their coach, Kristen Weese and will miss her as she leaves Montana for Colorado.

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