Klinker's jumps part of Great Falls track teams solid start to 2024 season
Just two years ago, Scott Klinker wasn’t on the radar of many in terms of track and field.
The Great Falls High senior has made a big leap since then. Actually, make that several.
The defending Class AA champ in the triple jump has started off the season strong in all three jumping events, leading the state in the long (23 feet, 2.25 inches) and is second in the high jump after clearing 6-5 on Tuesday at Memorial Stadium in a dual with Bozeman High.
His top mark in the long jump is not only a personal record but set a Memorial Stadium record in a home meet on April 2.
Klinker didn’t go out for track as a freshman but during basketball season the following year, stories began to circulate of a sophomore who could dunk. Coaches convinced Klinker to give track a shot, and he eased into learning the ropes of the long and high jumps.
“And then last year (as a junior) he just grasped it all,” Great Falls High head coach Dave Killian said. “Those kids that just are phenomenal athletes and they have a physical gift and put the hard work behind it…good things happen.”
Klinker took the triple jump state title in Butte last May with a personal-best leap of 46-10.5. He was also named All-State with a fifth-place showing in the long jump (21-02) and sixth in the high jump, at 6-feet.
Through the first two meets, Klinker is ranked fourth in the triple at 44-6.
The springtime is quite busy for Klinker, as he is also one of the top baseball prospects in the state and starting his final Legion baseball season for the Great Falls Chargers. While he turned out to be a natural in track, baseball is Klinker’s true passion, and he splits up practices during the week depending on meet and game schedules.
“Baseball is the one I really love and I’m going to college for it so I need to keep my priorities straight,” said Klinker, who will play for D-II MSU-Billings next year.
Killian said Klinker is “a joy to be around and coach” and the program has benefitted greatly from his talents and personality.
“It’s rare to have a kid like that,” Killian said. “He’s not only a track athlete but he’s playing college baseball next year. How many kids can throw a high-80, low-90 mph fastball and can also jump out of the gym? He also could be a DI All-American in track and field. He’s that versatile of an athlete. And if you ever talk to the young man, is there not a more joyful kid?”
After hitting 6-2 in the high jump in the first meet of the season, Klinker said he changed up is approach on Tuesday as he grew his PR by three inches.
“The approach is everything,” Klinker said. “If you’re too close to the bar, you’re going to hit it and if you’re too far away from it, you’re going to hit the bar. So, the approach is what really needs to be worked on from my end.”
While the spring is busy with baseball and track to concentrate on, Klinker said he’s focused on the process as he potentially looks to add state titles to his resume.
“Especially from last year taking state (in the triple), and taking everything I was taught, it just really goes right into it,” Klinker said. “It’s just like hopping right back on a bike again. It’s just about improving every day out here at practice.”
Great Falls High track and field 2024 preview
Including Klinker, Killian said the Bison have athletes qualified for state in about 20 events through just a few meets this season.
“You always dream for those to happen later, so kids are working hard,” Killian said. “Kids put in a lot of work in the offseason. We have a lot of multi-sport kids, and that’s a huge thing, too. They come into the season fit and ready to go. We’re growing really well right now and having a lot of fun.”
The Great Falls High boys’ distance crew is strong coming off of a state title in cross country in the fall, led by perennial All-State harrier Ryan Harrington. The Montana State commit holds the school record in the 3200 meters and is ranked only behind Bozeman’s Nathan Neil, one of the top distance runners in the nation.
Harrington ran the top 800-meter time this season Tuesday with a personal-best of 1:56.03, followed by teammate Ashtyn Rask (1:56.91). Harrington and John Spinti are ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the state in the mile, while Rask is sixth. Spinti and Rask will also continue to run in college as they committed this week to Rocky Mountain College in Billings.
“You have a group of kids like that, who all are supremely gifted and they all work hard and are going to run at the next level, it’s just special,” Killian said. “They’re all great kids and have unique personalities.”
While there’s much to be written before the state meet at the end of May, the Bison boys are looking to crack into the top-three for a team trophy this season after finishing fourth last year.
“We’ve got some dreams and some big goals,” Killian said. “We came into the season, that is our goal, we want a trophy. The second you’re in the trophy chat, anything can happen. It’s a big goal and a huge task because there’s some very gifted athletes all around the state right now.”
On the girls’ side, Abby MacDonald is ranked second in the 100 (12.62) coming off a knee injury, and is also seventh in the 200.
Scarlet Harris has qualified for state in the 100, 200 and most recently the 100 hurdles, which she achieved Tuesday with a time of 16.21. The freshman is also close to qualifying the high jump as well.
“The versatility of that girl is incredible,” Killian said.
Senior Kyesha Farmer is also among the top long and triple jumpers in the state this season coming after an All-State finish last spring. On Tuesday, Farmer hit a PR of 17 feet in the long jump.
“She’s a great leader for the girls on the team because she’s so happy and so positive,” Killian said. “She’ll beat herself up every once and a while but she’s a great worker.”
Great Falls High is back in action next week, with the boys heading to the Dahlberg Invite in Butte on Friday while the girls will be at Memorial Stadium on Saturday for the Optimist.
Photo provided courtesy of Matt Ehnes of Jared's Detours.
This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Scott Klinker leaping to new heights for Great Falls High track
