Briefs: Shrine Golf tourney planned June 11

Shrine Golf Tournament planned June 11

The annual Shrine Golf Two-Person Scramble tournament is scheduled for June 11 at Eagle Falls Golf Course.

This is the 22nd year the tournament has raised funds for the Great Falls Shrine organization, which is dedicated to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The event is for men or women and costs $150 per team. Many awards and prizes will be offered. Registration forms can be downloaded at http://www.algeriashrinersinternational.org/announcements.

For more information, call John Hayes at 590-5646.

UGF athletes compete at NAIA Outdoor meet

GULF SHORES, Ala. – University of Great Falls junior Tanner Boone finished 13th in the marathon to highlight the efforts of Argos athletes at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Boone entered nationals as the 35th-seeded competitor after qualifying with a half marathon time of 1:13:50.2. The junior ran the full 26.2-mile marathon for the first time in NAIA competition and well exceeded his pre-race ranking.

“His main goal was to finish, which would be tough enough with the expected heat and humidity,” said UGF coach Bill Brist. “Second, he wanted to break the school record. Third, he wanted to run in the 2:40’s. He managed to go 3-for-3.”

With a school-record time of 2:47:38, Boone managed to meet his goals and finish 13th in the nation, five spots away from becoming an All-America.

Meanwhile, UGF sophomore Daphne Puckett finished 23rd in the shot put with a throw of 12.49m, while senior Ashley Thoeny threw the last shot put of her notable career, placing 25th with a throw of 12.23m.

Thoeny was a two-time NAIA Outdoor Championship qualifier in the shot put, a two-time Academic All-American, and set multiple school records which have since been exceeded by Puckett.

Senior Taylor Statton concluded her UGF career with a 15th-place finish in the javelin. Statton was will graduate with the school record in the javelin as well as being a multiple season NAIA qualifier and multiple time Academic All-American.

Puckett and fellow sophomore Breanna Jones also competed in the hammer throw. Puckett took 22nd with a throw of 46.01m, while Jones finished 30th at 39.84m.

“I think we are headed in the right direction with our program,” Brist said. “We have athletes setting school records, qualifying for Nationals and doing fantastic with their academics. If we can continue to grow in those directions, I’m confident that great things will continue to develop within our Track & Field program.”