Scarlet Harris hurdling expectations as freshman for Great Falls High track
Scarlet Harris brings a familiar familial name to the Great Falls High track and field roster.
In just her first year, she’s more than living up to it for Bison athletics.
Harris – the younger sister of former multi-sport star Reed Harris and Great Falls High hoops standout Alison Harris – is carving her own path. Ahead of the Eastern AA divisional set for this weekend in Bozeman, the freshman enters already qualified for the Class AA state meet in four individual events.
The Great Falls High and C.M. Russell High track squads are competing at the Eastern AA divisional in Bozeman Friday and Saturday, with those not already qualified for state looking to advance by virtue of a top-eight finish.
Harris not only booked her tickets for the state meet, she did so early.
In the first competition of the season in a quad meet in Billings, Harris finished fourth in the 100 meters (12.80) and second in the 200 (26.39). She was third in the all-Class AA-girls’ only Optimist meet in Great Falls in the 100 hurdles (16.07) before finishing out April with her fourth qualifying standard at 5-foot-2 in the high jump at the Skor Dekam in Helena.
Harris said she discussed goals early with sprints coach Coda Tchida – also the Bison football head coach – but hadn’t predicted such a fulfilled start to her track career after just one meet.
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“I’m really happy about it,” Harris said of her freshman season. “I was really surprised about (the quick start), because Tchida told me about the times and what it could be eventually in the season, and the first meet I got it for the 100 and 200. Just so much I’ve learned and all the technique, it’s been really helpful.”
She’s also already set one school record with the fastest time for a freshman in the 100 hurdles, according to Great Falls High head coach Dave Killian.
In one of the first practices of the spring, the Bison mentor recalls Harris taking a hard fall while trying to hurdle. Harris popped right back up and shook it off, Killian said.
“She’s fearless and the way she just attacks it is really cool,” Killian said. “(The freshman hurdle record is) a big deal, we’ve had some great athletes come through here.”
Harris ranks in the top 10 in Class AA in three of her four individual events and is 11th in the 100. Having a freshman contribute across so many events is a rare thing, Killian said, and she also displays leadership qualities beyond her age.
“Really the biggest thing with Scarlet is she isn’t intimidated,” Killian said. “She comes right in and she’s ready to go. She’s a positive force on the team. She’s always smiling and her work ethic is unparalleled. Scarlet’s got talent and she works hard. She’s a great student and you see that carry over out here.”
The Bison girls’ 4x100 relay team is ranked second in the state heading into the postseason, with Harris joining teammates Addisyn Rask, Isis Haslem and Abby MacDonald. At 48.96, the short relay unit is just over half a second off Helena High’s top time (48.44) and about a 1/10 of a second shy of the school record, according to Killian.
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“I’m really excited for it,” Harris said. “Helena is definitely going to be our competition and I hope we can break the school record. We’re all working hard, Abby Mac, Addy, Isis. I’m really excited for what we can do.”
Scarlet’s older brother Reed Harris will be entering his second year in the fall playing football at Boston College, where he recently caught five passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in the team’s spring game, according to 406 MT Sports.
Harris said she keeps in regular touch with her brother and he’s always reaching out for updates on her meets.
A three-time All-State performer in football for the Bison, Reed earned a state championship in the 200 last spring and was second in the 100. Seeing the success her brother achieved for the Bison has given Harris another motivating factor to keep pushing forward.
“I’m trying to be the same level by the time I’m a senior,” Harris said.
The Harris connection at Great Falls High doesn’t end with Scarlet, as she’s joined on the track team by twin brother Steele, also a state-qualifier in the 4x100 boys’ relay along with Ryder English, Traycen Ehnes and Scott Anderson.
“It’s fun,” Harris said of working alongside Steele. “Yesterday we were doing box starts together and we’re both right there trying to keep up (with each other). It’s fun to be around.”
This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: Scarlet Harris hurdling expectations as freshman for Great Falls track
