Briefs: Flathead fliers help Griz set record; Pelc, LeDuc commit
MISSOULA — Records fell at last weekend’s Al Manuel Invitational track and field meet, and two Flathead runners were a big part of one. Montana’s men’s short relay won the race in 40. 23 seconds on March 28, the old record of 40.
30 was set in 2024. The Grizzlies ran two true freshman, Romin Saleki of Spokane and Ben Bliven out of Flathead, along with Flathead alum Brody Thornsberry and Missoula Sentinel product Karsen Beltz. Beltz anchored the 2024 relay as well.
“That was a bit of a surprise,” UM coach Doug Fraley said. “I wasn’t sure how fast we’d run with that group being so young and having one alternate in there, but those guys really came out and ran a great race to break the school record from a couple years ago at the conference championships. ” The women’s short relay ran 44.
78 to break a Dornblaser Field record that had stood since 2019 in the process. The women have Tara Ohlwiler, the defending 100 and 200 Big Sky Champion, run the opening leg with freshman Callie Wilson, this season’s 60-metes and 200 indoor Big Sky champ, running anchor. Another record came from Whitefish’s Erin Wilde, who became the first female athlete to clear 6 feet in the high jump at Dornblaser, raising her own school record.
Wilde owns six indoor-outdoor Big Sky high jump titles. Flathead’s LeDuc chooses NIC Conor LeDuc, a Flathead High wrestling standout the past four seasons, has committed to North Idaho College. LeDuc announced his commitment via social media in late March.