After first place finishes in 1995 and 1996, the Flathead Braves track team looks for a another state championship- and a three-peat "We have 70 points coming back from last year," said senior high-jumper Eric Rich. "We have a good possibility of winning state for the third straight year. A lot of guys will have to step up, though."
Flathead has a strong returning squad of senior Shane Ackerly, who was the state champion in the 300 hurdles in 1996, senior Chad Wassink, last year's state champ in the javelin, and Eddy Abel, the state's best in hurdles.
"I should be pretty strong in the hurdles, and we have Eddy coming back too," said Ackerly.. With "Chad at the javelin and Eric we have a strong core. Hopefully, we'll get some surprises from newcomers too."
Also returning for the Braves are seniors Darren Schuldheiss and Josh Fite in pole-vault, seniors Matt Radel, Ryan McGuire and Josh Herzog in sprints, and senior Jake Bain in the middle-distance runs.
"I expect the team to do good," said Bain. "We'll hold our own. We don't have as many people going out but we're still tough."
Senior Devin Antonovich also returns to the Braves.
"I think my biggest hope is to go to state and place in the discus," said Antonovich. "I hope to go to state in the shot-put as well."
Despite the large pool of talent, the Braves' biggest adversary may be the weather. With record snowfalls in the winter of 1997, getting on the track might be a difficult task.
"I think we've got a great chance if we can ever get on the field," said Ackerly referring to the amount of snow on the track.
"I have no idea what we're going to do," said Rich about the weather. "But I'm sure Mr. Hodge will figure something out."(Rich was right. Hodge had the track plowed on March 11. It still has to dry before the season can start).
To battle the obstacles of Mother Nature, the Braves are also hoping for a large turnout of new team members.
"I hope there's a lot of people that come out this year," said Radel. "There's a lot of competition on the team since we lost a lot of people."
As far as team competition, Hodge looks to Bozeman, Helena Capitol and Big Sky to be Flathead's strongest opponents. Hodge also said, "I think for us to look at a fourth place will be good. But you never know, there are always some surprises."
The Braves' practices start on March 17 and the first meet is in Missoula on April 1. Divisionals will also be in Missoula and the state meet will be in Billings in May.
"We don't have a lot of weak spots," said Bain. "We're pretty solid. I think we're looking pretty good."