Ex-Trotters make splash at Gage meet in Bozeman

These Plains Trotters did not just graduate and give up the sport they love – they took their acts to the next level.

Former Trotter track and field stars Kayla Holmes, Carley VonHeeder and Hailey Phillips, who led Plains to a string of state titles while in high school at Plains, all made their marks on the annual Tom Gage collegiate meet in Bozeman Friday with outstanding efforts.

Holmes won the shot put with a best effort of 43 feet, 9.75 inches and also claimed fifth in the discus with a best spin and throw of 136-2.

Von Heeder won the javelin with a fine spear throw of 150-5 and Phillips ran down second place in the 400 meter hurdles with a fine time of 1:02.14.

All three Plains grads will now turn their sights on to the Big Sky Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which will be held at Dornblaser Stadium in Missoula this Wednesday through Saturday.