RAISING THE STANDARDS
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Polson runner Kyle Wies races against expectations and commands respect. The Pirate runner won 4 individual state titles (two each in the 800m and 1600m) in track during his junior and senior seasons. He set school records in the 800m (1:52.63) at the Arcadia Invitational in California in March of 1997 and in the 1600m (4:23.9) at the State meet in Great Falls in May 1997. He was also on the sprint relay and the 1600m relay (1600m relay placed 2nd at State).
Whenever Kyle toed the starting line, people at far points of the stadium would stop what they were doing and watch, anticipating something special. He wasn’t hard to spot. At 6-foot-2, he towered over much of his competition, literally and figuratively.
“He is the one everyone is gunning for,” said Ackerly, who himself was one of the states premier prep runners. “But mentally, I think he is one of the toughest runners I have ever met. Kyle is always there at the end.”
Kyle, who also was a two time state cross-country champion attended the University of Montana in Missoula on a track scholarship.