Mustangs hold Combine, start practice

The Malta Mustangs Football team started practices on Monday, August 16, but one highlight of the week was day two, a day that featured a college-style combine event.

During this event, last Tuesday, August 16, athletes were timed and reps were taken down to gauge where the athletes were heading into the 2021 Class B football season.

According to Malta Football Head Coach Nick Oxarart, every Mustang participated. The team was tested in five different events. These events were the bench press, 40-yard dash, NFL Shuttle, standing long jump, and vertical jump.

"We will get data on those guys and girls are," Coach Oxarart said.

When asked about the idea of the event, Coach Oxarart said that earlier this summer, he had been approached by Sergeant First Class (SFC) Troy Hansen of the 484th Company of the Montana National Guard, to see if the team had an interest in holding the event.

After agreeing, Malta Alumni SFC Cassandra Olszewski brought the gear down from Havre for Malta to use last Tuesday. Fellow Malta Alumni Master Sergeant Todd Carver and SGT Matt VanWinkle also helped during the event.

At the event, one performance that stood out was the bench press tally of senior running back and linebacker Cash Salsbery, who put up 225 lbs, 14 times.

"To do 225 pounds 14 times is pretty impressive," Coach Oxarart said. "Cash has worked hard in the weight room all year and all summer long."

According to Coach Oxarart, Salsbery has also been bringing several younger athletes along to lift weights during the summer months.

Junior Cameron Mears, a running back and linebacker, posted a vertical jump of 31 inches.

Though he didn't have specific numbers, Coach Oxarart also mentioned senior Rex Williamson as a Mustang that was among the top marks in each event.

"It was fun to see guys that have worked hard in spring with track and field, along with working hard all summer long," Coach Oxarart said. "It was fun to see who put in the time and got their body in the right spot to compete this fall in football. It also shows the younger guys what it takes."

The week gave the Mustangs a few challenges weather-wise including smoke from fires in Montana and Canada, along with rain last week.

"We have been full-go, but we have had to keep an eye on the air quality," Coach Oxarart said.

In the event that air quality reaches a dangerous level, practice would be held indoors. The team is also able to practice in the rain, given that there are no lightning strikes around town.