Hawks wing way to Western B meet

 

John Hamilton

LAUNCH TIME - Hawk sophomore Cody Burk runs up for a javelin throw in Thompson Falls earlier this season. Burk and his teammates will be in Missoula this week for the Western B divisional meet.

The final meet of the track and field regular season, the Bigfork Invitational actually served as more of a preview rather than a grand finale.

With all of the Western B teams in attendance in Bigfork Saturday, the Thompson Falls track and field teams took advantage of the opportunity for one final tune-up against the same athletes they will go up against this week. Well, almost all the same athletes anyway.

"It's always interesting to see what kids, who may already be state-qualified, participate at divisionals," Hawk coach Trenna Ferris said. "Technically, state-qualified athletes must be entered into the event, but don't have to actually compete.

"If teams are going for the trophies," she added, "these type of kids will compete for the team points."

Coaching and supporting a team of those type of kids that are going for team trophies while also shooting for new personal bests, Ferris and assistant coaches Jake Susic, Amy Gilbert and Sarah Naegeli will guide the Hawks into Missoula for the Western B divisional meet, which will be held in conjunction with the Western C, at Missoula County Public Schools Stadium at Missoula Big Sky High School Thursday and Friday.

Saturday's Bigfork Invite was a meet Ferris and company enjoyed greatly, even more so for the opportunity to get a preview of what could go on this week at the Western B.

"Bigfork was a great meet for the boys and girls," Ferris said. "We have athletes that are still recording personal bests for the season and continually improving and that is great to see."

The Hawk boys placed fourth out of nine teams with 37 points. Ben Beauchman led the Hawk men by running down first place in the 800 meter run, Nick Viera leapt to third place in the long jump, Trey Fisher speared third in the javelin, the 1600 meter relay won fourth place, the 400 meter relay took fifth and Cameron Lee was sixth in the 400.

The Lady Hawks placed seventh out of eight teams with 38 points. The Hawk women were led by TFHS quad-athlete Jody Detlaff (who participated in volleyball, basketball, softball and track and field for the Hawks this past school year) who won second place in the high jump and fourth in the discus.

Sierra Hanks added a third place win in the high jump, Josey Neesvig battled a strong field to win third in the 1600 meters and fourth in the 800, and Shaylynda Walker ran to fifth in the 3200 meters.

The Lady Hawks' long relay took third place and the short relay fifth.

Pre-qualified for the State B in the pole vault, senior Maya Stiles did not compete last week but Ferris said Stiles will be ready to go for the Western B meet.

Shana Neesvig

RELAY RUNNER Caity Alexander of Thompson Falls in a recent meet.

Thinking positive thoughts as her team heads into the post season, Ferris' assistant coaches seem to have that same mindset.

"We have a lot of young jumpers that have been working hard and steadily improving," Gilbert offered. "Big Sky is a familiar venue for our kids, and they are focused and ready to give it their best."

"The throwers have been working at getting better all year and are looking to peak at this meet," Susic said. "I couldn't be happier with their efforts this year."

"Ben did an amazing job in winning the 800 this week and has been pushing hard in practice," Naegeli said, also noting that Neesvig has been "so mentally and physically strong." She also praised the efforts of Trae Thilmony and Wyatt Griffith in the 1600 and 800 meter runs, saying their "improvement has been incredible."

 

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