C.M. Russell track opens with optimism with host meet against West | Latest Sports News

Spring is almost officially in full swing as the C.M. Russell High track and field team is ready for a new season.

The Rustlers begin the season with a home meet at 12:30 p.m. on  Friday, April 3, at Memorial Stadium against Billings West before heading to Kalispell on April 10 for a dual against Glacier High.

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CMR head coach Brian Greenwell said the team has a good mix of youth with solid leadership of around 25 seniors, with standout athletes from other sports.

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“We have good numbers,” Greenwell said. “Probably the best we’ve had in a while. But we’re young. We have a ton of freshmen and sophomores. But there’s a bunch of good kids there that have been good across their different sports.”

Returning for the Rustlers is distance standout Emerson Hamma, who placed fifth in the 3200 meters last season.

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Another standout cross-country runner Stella Damyanovich is also back on the girls’ side after placing in the top 10 in the 800 and two-mile at state last season. Hamma and Damyanovich are both two-time All-State earners in cross country for the Rustlers.

Alexander Buche and Carson Rose also figure to be top distance contributors for CMR.

Senior Ethan Young will be an athlete to watch in the short distances, primarily in the 400 and hurdles while also factoring in on relays, as well as Ryan Gilbertson.

Hunter Lee, an All-State performer for CMR football, will be another to watch in the sprints.

Reagan McCalmon is an All-State returner and top thrower for the Rustlers in the field, after placing fourth in the discus for the girls last season. Mykah Zender is also an athlete to watch on the boys’ side for the discus.

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“Mykah has come a long way since last year,” Greenwell said. “I think football helped him. Built up his confidence.”

Peyton Fenner and Brady Lewis also figure to fit in on the field events. Mykala Zender aims to contribute in the hurdles and relays for the Rustler girls.

Teagan Hegdel was a state qualifier as a freshman in the long and triple jumps for the CMR girls. Greenwell said he is also excited about his pole vaulters, led by state qualifier Caimbrie Brost on the girls’ side and Scotlen Brown and Caleb Stevenson for the boys.

Keira and Kiley Burton will also be top contributors for the Rustler girls, as will sophomore Deryk Dimke for the boys.

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“They’re workhorses,” Greenwell said of the Burtons.

Tayah Osier, an All-State volleyball player for CMR, was a state qualifier in the high jump last season and figures to be a leader in the event this season.

The Eastern AA divisional seeding meet is in Great Falls this season at Memorial Stadium on Friday, May 22. The Electric City teams will also host the annual Optimist Invite featuring the top AA girls’ athletes from Montana on April 25, the same day as the Dahlberg Invite in Butte for the boys.

The Class AA state meet will be held in Missoula this season on May 29-30. It will be paired with the Class B meet at Missoula County Public Schools Stadium.

This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: CMR track and field prepares for new season with young talent