The goal for Thompson Falls runners in the Mountain West Invitational Saturday was not necessarily to win; it was to run and learn the Missoula course for future reference sake.

“Our big emphasis in Missoula was to learn two things: how to run in a huge crowd; and how to attack the hill on the course,” coach Sarah Naegeli said. “Both of these will come in handy when we compete on the same course for the state meet in three weeks.”

Along those lines, the race was a big success for the Falls varsity runners, who all competed in the event’s junior varsity races.

The Mountain West is annually one of the biggest cross country events in the Pacific Northwest, drawing thousands of runners, mostly from Montana but also from Washington and Idaho. Naegeli said the wind blowing out of Hellgate Canyon was particularly fierce this time around.

“This was probably the windiest Mountain West race that I can remember,” she said. “After a week of homecoming, various stages of getting sick/getting better and fighting the wind, we still had some strong performances.”

Justin Morgan led the Hawk boys in with a time of 19:44, Wyatt Griffith and Ben Beauchman were next, both in 21:04, and Nathan Burwig (21:11), Erik Melendez (21:22), Nick Viera (23:45), Marc Boyd (24:13), Ben Croft (27:49) and Daniel Ryan (28:34) followed.

As usual this season, Josey Neesvig led the Lady Hawks, finishing in a time of 21:19, and Rachel Ribeiro (23:57), Megan Baxter (26:54), Kacey VanZanten (29:49), Reagan Hanks (32:32), Roni Hanks (32:57) and Pris Sommers (38:57) were not too far behind.

Naegeli had encouraging words for her runners. “Wyatt has had a strong showing these last couple weeks and continues to drop his time,” she said. “Ben has also had a great last couple weeks. The other male runner I would like to mention is Nathan. His quiet leadership, work ethic and experience is a great asset. He’s a dependable runner that we can count on to push himself and encourage others at every meet.”

Naegeli was also complimentary to her girls. “I think Josey finished in the top 15,” she said. “Her poise and competitiveness this year has been amazing. And Megan looked great coming up that hill. Her strength on hills will definitely be a benefit at the state meet.”

The junior high runners also had a race at the Mountain West, on a 1.4 mile course instead of the 2 miles they usually run.

Hattie Neesvig finished 12th overall among the girls in 8:44, and Faith Palmer (10:04), Madison Toyia (11:54), Tiana Goatley (12:33), Alex Olesen (14:55) and Kaylei Hinck (15:39) also raced.

Cael Thilmony (9:26) ad JJ Fields (11:11) were the only Falls junior high boys running in Missoula.

In other action last week, the Hawks ran a partial team in the Whitefish Invitational Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Ribeiro clocked a season-best time of 23:25 to lead the Falls girls, Baxter timed out in 26:38 and Reagan Hanks in 34:14.

Morgan ran a time of 21:06 for the boys (in spite of being sick), Griffith clocked 21:06 and Ryan 28:19.

Hattie Neesvig completed the 2.1 mile junior high course in 14:08, Palmer finished in 16:11, Thilmony 14:41 and Levi Myers 15:07.

The Thompson Falls cross country teams will complete the regular season in the Eureka Invitational Thursday. The Western B divisional meet will be held at River’s Bend Golf Course Oct. 11.