The Hellgate Track team took 36 athletes to this year’s state meet in Butte to compete against many other AA athletes from across the state. The team had athletes competing in many events and placed in many as well. Along with multiple athletes placing in the top six, five Hellgate athletes managed to take first place in a number of events. 

     There were three field events that had Hellgate athletes come out on top at this year’s meet. Senior Aiden Nichols placed first in men’s javelin with a throw of 192 feet, which was a new personal best and helped him win by over 20 feet. Senior Alex Shields placed first for men’s shot put with a throw of  53 feet 10.25 inches, winning by just over six inches.  The final field event that had a Hellgate athlete place first was the women’s pole vault, where Hannah Moses was able to win the state title for the second year in a row. Moses vaulted 11 feet 9 inches, winning by three inches. Senior Mckenna Stroment was also able to place sixth in the discus with a throw of 112 feet 7 inches. 

     On the track, the Hellgate girls distance team dominated the podium, with a win in the 3200 meter run and a win in the 1600 meter run. Sophomore Jamison Molloy placed first in the 3200 with a time of 11:11.05. Two more Hellgate girls made it into the top six with Rose Wiltse placing fourth with a time of 11:37.32, and Stella Diaz placing sixth with a time of 11:39.21. In the 1600 meter run, all five of the Hellgate competitors entered in the race placed within the top 6. Junior Kaitlyn Skinner placed first with a time of 5:08.38. Molloy placed second with a time of 5:12.47, followed by Wiltse with a time of 5:17.05. Grace Stewart from Belgrade was able to place fourth, but Sophia Miller was able to place fifth with a time of 5:18.13 and Stella Diaz managed to place sixth place, narrowly beating the following Gallatin athlete and had a time of 5:18.79. In addition to this, Skinner also placed fifth in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:18.17. The girls 4×400 meter relay team (Miller, Annelise Bassette, Grace Boyels, Skinner) placed fifth in a close race with Helena where Helena beat Hellgate by just .01 seconds. The Hellgate team ran a time of 4:03.35.

     The boys distance team had senior Daniel Wiltse place sixth in the 800 meter run, setting a new school record with a time of 1:54.41. In the 1600 meter run, senior Finneas Colescott placed third with a time of 4:18.81. Colescott placed fourth in the 3200 meter run, running a time of 9:28.35. 

     The Hellgate girls were in a close race with Gallatin for second place, but ended up placing third with a total of 68.5 points at the end of the two day event. The boys team was able to place eighth overall with a total of 34.5 points.