Great Falls High’s Scott Klinker wins state long jump title
It may not technically go down in the record books, but no one who was present at Memorial Stadium Friday will likely forget the jump by Scott Klinker.
The Great Falls High leaped 24 feet, 5.5 inches on his first attempt in the long jump at the state track meet, breaking the previous All-Class mark of 23-08 by nearly 10 inches. However, the jump was ruled to be wind-aided by the official gauge, and therefore cannot count as a state record.
Klinker hit 23-11 on his final attempt of the day to surpass the mark again, but the wind conditions hadn’t subsided enough to count for the record, set by Huntley Project’s Kelly Friede in 1988.
Regardless, Klinker had the state title wrapped up on his first jump, with the crowd and even fellow competitors going wild as his feet touched down in the sand.
It is Klinker’s second state title in track, as he took the triple jump last season.
“The record has been there a long time,” Klinker said. “It’s a sad factor with the wind, but it’s Montana, it happens a lot. It feels good.”
More: Great Falls High's Bree MacDonald ties school pole vault record, takes third at state meet
Klinker said he was proud to take the title in the last year for Bison jumps coach Chris Napierala, who is retiring after this season.
“It feels good, even getting the school record this year,” Klinker said. “It’s been a great year of long jump. I PR’d by more than a foot. I’m happy to give it to Nap in his last year.”
Klinker added another All-State performance in the high jump for the second straight year, finishing second at 6-4 by way of tiebreakers. Bozeman Gallatin’s Quinn Clark earned the title at 6-8.
School record falls for GFH
The Great Falls High girls’ 4x100 toppled a program record Friday, earning a state runner-up finish.
The unit of Addisyn Rask, Scarlet Harris, Isis Haslem, and Abby MacDonald crossed the finish line in 48.58, breaking the record of 48.89 set in 2016 that included superstar sprinter Morgan Evans.
Helena High’s crew of Logan Todorovich, Hazel Bishop, Reghan Skogen, and Madilyn Todorovich took the title at 48.04. Skogen added to her resume as she took the pole vault championship Thursday evening.
Harrington third in mile
Great Falls High's Ryan Harrington ran a season-best time in the 1600 meters Friday, earning third place at 4:18.00.
The finish was Harrington's third All-State showing in the past three seasons, placing fourth as a sophomore and second last season. The Montana State commit will run in the 3200 and 800 on Saturday, both of which he holds school records in. Harrington is second all-time in the 1600 in Bison program history behind Branch Brady's record of 4:14.70 set in 1965.
Bozeman's Nathan Neil set the All-Class state record in the 1600 at 4:04.89, breaking former teammate Weston Brown's record set last season (4:10.68). Missoula Sentinel's Quinn Newman finished second at 4:14.35.
CMR’s Tarver third in sprint prelims
C.M. Russell High’s Jackson Tarver was in the top three in both the 100 and 200 prelims on Friday, finishing second (22.00) in the 200 and third in the 100 (11.29).
Billings Skyview’s Ryan Dierenfield was first in the 100 (11.01) followed by Hudson Lembke of Sentinel (11.17), while Kalispell Flathead’s Ben Bliven topped the prelims in the 200 (21.71). Tarver was a scratch from the 400.
CMR’s Shelby Tadlock was All-State in the shot put for the second straight season, taking sixth with a toss of 38 feet, 1.75 inches.
This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Great Falls High’s Scott Klinker wins state long jump title
