Mustangs Track 2018

The long and snowy winter has made it impossible to practice on their home track, but Malta is finding other ways to prep for what may be a snow-shortened season.

The Malta Mustangs will have 20 athletes this season but only return one state performer. The group's inexperience at the state level won't stop them from focusing on their goals and competing with the top team in State B.

"Fairfield is the defending state champion and they have a lot of guys back so that be good competition for us," Head Coach Tad Schye said.

Malta welcomes nine athletes this season and returns eleven, one of which is senior Travis Epperson.

Junior Andres Lopez is Malta's lone returning state performer, with the team having lost Jayce Bishop, who threw javelin and jumped in the high jump event to graduation.

Lopez threw for personal best of 41-10.5 in shot put last season during the divisional meet, which was enough to qualify him for state.

The team has been practicing indoors so far this season, but Lopez can't wait to compete.

"I am excited about it and I can't wait to throw again," Lopez said.

He was asked what he can do indoors to practice his throwing.

"I can practice my form," he said. "I do that sometimes."

Lopez has one goal this season, and though distance is involved, his sights aren't set on distance.

"To place at state," he responded when asked about his goal.

Lopez was asked about his team which features a good mix of returning and new talent. Lopez names one of Malta's newest members when asked about his team.

"I know Cormac (Benn) is pretty good at high jump, long jump, and triple jump, so he is a pretty good athlete," Lopez said.

He was then asked about the team's chemistry.

"We all get along pretty good," Lopez said. "We all laugh together and before practice, we throw the football around. Yeah, it's pretty good."

Tanner Smith was one of the Mustangs who just missed out on making state, having placed seventh in the triple jump with a personal best of 38-7.5, and eighth in both long jump and high jump as a freshman.

Though he performed well in each of his jumping events last season, Smith prefers triple jump.

"I think because it's one of my better events, so it's one of my favorites," Smith said. "I just want to make it to state, last year I took seventh at divisionals and they take six."

Though not able to practice triple jump as a whole, Smith has been working on ways to improve. He knows what he needs to work on.

"My footwork and working hard at practice," Smith said. "Coach Schye has really been working on my step because it was not good."

Epperson, Lopez, and Kolter Schipman were a part of a 1600 meter relay team that nearly made state last season, taking eighth place at the divisional meet. Schipman is waiting to be cleared medically.

After reflecting on last season, Epperson believes that making it further in the post-season is possible.

"I think we did okay but we just need to work really hard and get as fast as we can," Epperson said. "There may have been a little bit of hesitation on some of the handoffs. We need to work on that a little bit. We just need to condition and work hard for it."

In individual events, Epperson is a thrower, but he admitted he needs to work on his approach.

"I really need to work on my form," Epperson said.

The Mustangs, like many Northeastern teams, haven't been able to set foot on their track or field. According to Coach Schye, this hasn't been the case for the entire state.

"The southern (Montana) schools are probably already on the tracks," Coach Schye said. "They have been outside running and we are just hoping to get on our track here."

The team has been practicing events indoors, which includes drills like the 40-meter dash, high jump, and the shuttle drill.

"We just go through the basics of it and when we get on the track for the first time, we will actually have some teaching moments but most of our kids have done track at some level so they have an idea," Coach Schye said. "The main thing is to make sure that they're in condition and we are ready to go."

Coach Schye believes there is a benefit to not being on the track yet.

"Typically when things like this happen, we have good performances right away because we haven't been out and they are a little more nervous than usual," Coach Schye said. "They are more amped up."

Malta Schools

Track & Field 2018 Schedule

Date Day EVENT SITE

Mar-12 Monday First Practice Malta

Mar-29 Thursday Glasgow Invitational Glasgow

Apr-3 Tuesday (JH) First Practice Malta

Apr-10 Saturday Fergus Twilight Lewistown

Apr-14 Saturday Havre Lions Invitational Havre

Apr-16 Monday Scottie Qualifier Glasgow

Apr-18 WednesdayCal Wearley Invitational Havre

Apr-21 Saturday (JH) Havre Invitational Have

Apr-24 Tuesday Malta Invitational Malta

Apr-27 Friday (JH) Wolf Point Invitational Wolf Point

Apr-28 Saturday Golden Eagle Invitational Fergus

May-1 Tuesday Glasgow Top 10 Glasgow

May-5 Saturday Havre-Malta-North Star Triangular Malta

May-5 Saturday (JH) Malta Invitational Malta

May-12 Saturday (JH) Lewistown Invitational Lewistown

May-12 Saturday District 2B Track Meet Glasgow

May-19 Saturday Northern B Divisional Track Meet Great Falls

May 25-26 Fri - Sat State Class B Track Meet Laurel