Front Row: (left to right); Gary Thomas, Keith Lanier, Ted Kimball, Bill Anderson, Dick Burlingame.
Back Row: Bill Sand, Kenny Lee, Lloyd Kilman, Wayne Thompson, Jim Burton.
Polson Pirates Add State Class B Crown to Athletic Laurels
from the Flathead Courier
The Polson Pirates again proved their prowess in the field of sports by cruising to victory in the class B events of the Montana Interscholastic track and field meet in Missoula Friday and Saturday.
In a stirring struggle which was not decided until the last event the Pirates tallied 28 1/2 points to be become state champions of class B track and field. Florence-Carlton was second with 23; Powell County third with 18 1/2, Plains scored 16 1/2 in fourth and Stevensville 12 for fifth.
It was a team victory as the six Pirates scored first, second, third and fourth places to gain the points needed for the victory. Friday Wayne Thompson placed third in the mile run and Ted Kimball tied for second in the pole vault, with Jore of Ronan. This gave the Polson boys 6 1/2 points to lead in the scoring for the first days events.
Thompson and Bill Anderson added ten more points for their team when they ran away with first and second respectively in the half mile run. Sand ran well in the 440 to place second and add another four points to the total. Kimball tossed the javelin 163 feet 8 inches for third place and three points. Keeny Kee added two more points with a toss of 134 feet 6 7/8 inches for a fourth spot.
The relay team of Lanier, Thompson, Sand and Burlingame added three poiints when they finished a close third in the event run against time. The athletes were hampered by a cold wet day and a muddy track. Snow was on the field for the first time in the history of the 49-year old meet.
For their victory the Pirates received the Montana Cup which is presented by the Missoula Rotary club each year to the winning class B team. As winners they also have possession of the Missoula Mercantile trophy, which is presented to the team in class B scoring the most points in the interscholastic in five years. Fairview held the trophy in 1954. Polson, by placing well up in the scoring in the past years and taking first this year, holds an edge at the present in points toward winning the coveted award but they must score well in 1956 and 1957 to be able to keep it permanently.
Following the presentation of the trophies and awards at a high school assembly the trophies, as well as those won earlier in the season at other meets, will be on display in the window at the Coppedge Insurance office.
1955 State Meet Results
Polson – 28.5 points
