Bigfork’s Merchant among record-setters at fast Pilcher Top 10
MISSOULA — The Russ Pilcher Top 10 meet went off without a hitch Tuesday at MCPS Stadium, the weather holding and the athletes flying. Several records were set at the meet, which dates back to 1999 and draws top athletes from roughly 150 miles in any direction, including Helena, Boulder and Butte. The Flathead Valley was well-represented.
For example, Robert Merchant of Class A Bigfork followed up his second-place finish (in a personal-record 10. 99 seconds) in the 100-meter dash with a first in the 200 in 21. 71, another PR.
That broke the 11-year-old record of 21. 85 by Butte’s Dalton Daum. Merchant owns the fastest 200 in Montana, regardless of class; he also helped the Vikings finish fourth in the short relay and second in the 1,600-meter relay.
Meanwhile Glacier freshman Kyle West clocked 22. 37, the fourth-best time in AA. A top race was the boys 800, where Helena's Axel Kowalski won a battle with Glacier’s Owen Theil by .
35 of a second. Kowalski came across in 1:55. 93, the fastest time run inside Montana’s borders this spring.