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The Bigfork Invitational drew in 13 teams from Western Montana last Saturday, including Thompson Falls, Plains and Hot Springs track and field teams.

For the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks, the boy's varsity team took fourth place out of 14 teams. The varsity placers in the top six are as follows: Bryson LeCoure took first place in the Javelin with a throw of 146 feet 9 inches; Cael Thilmony took first place in the the 3200 in a time of 11:39.78; Breck Ferris placed third in the 100, third in the long jump and third in the high jump; Brock Ryan placed fifth in the 3200; Braxton Dorscher placed sixth in the 200; Dorscher, Justin Haagenson, Nick Tessier and Ferris placed sixth in the 4x100 relay and Haagenson, Ethan Geisbusch, LeCoure and Braedon Ferris finished first place in the 4x400 relay.

The women's varsity Team took third place out of 13 teams. Placers in the top six are as follows: Ellie Baxter took first place in the 1600 with a time of 5:52.99 and first in the 3200 with a time of 12:25.87; Faith Palmer took second in the 3200; Chesney Lowe took fourth in the pole vault and third in the javelin; Trinity Riffle placed third in the high jump with a state qualifying mark of 4'10 and Palmer, Katelyn Subatch, Riffle and Baxter took first place in the 4x400 relay.

The Men's JV Team took second place out of 14 teams. The top six placers are as follows: Thilmony took first in the 400; Ryan placed second in the javelin; LeCoure placed first in the 300 hurdles and Geisbusch placed second in the 800, sixth in the 100 and sixth in the 200.

The Women's JV team took eighth out of 13 teams. The top six placers were: Jaden Bewick with fourth in the 1600 and fifth in the 800 and Veronica Bewick placed sixth in the 800, sixth in the shot put and fourth in the discus.

"Overall we are very proud of our efforts at Bigfork. We competed against some big teams. Our athletes represented us well and came away with some impressive performances, in both the varsity and JV divisions," said Coach Trenna Ferris. The men's team had 20 personal improvements and the women's team had 14 personal improvements from the week before.

The Plains team has five State competitors that have returned to compete this year:sophomore Lexie Deming, senior Mason Elliott, senior Alexis Helterline, junior Joseph Martin and junior Peyton Wasson. Coach Rachel Chenoweth said that the goals for this year are to build a strength within the team and that along with the returning state competitors they will take a handful more with them. "Our team is slightly larger than last year, providing more depth in a variety of events," said Chenoweth.

Elliott led the Horsemen placing second in the 400 with a time of 54.28, second in the 110 hurdles with a time of 16.23 and first in the 300 hurdles with a time of 43.61. Caleb Lakko placed sixth in the discus and Jay Flanagan, Martin, Asher Seymour and Elliot placed third in the 4x400 relay.

Deming led the Trotters placing second in the shot put with a state qualifying throw of 36 feet and first in the discus with a state qualifying throw of 112 feet five inches. Wasson placed fourth in the 800; Alexis Helterline placed sixth in the 800 and Kalli Tuma placed seventh in the 100 hurdles.

Chesney Lowe

Braedon Ferris winds up to throw the discus.

"Saturday's meet was great and there were many personal records and season improvements across the field and on the track. I was very pleased with the athletes' efforts, as well as how they came alongside and encouraged one another," said Chenoweth.

Nick McAllister of Hot Springs high jumped into second place with a 5-foot-8 jump and personal record and placed second in the 300 hurdles with a time of 44.31. Elijah Cambell placed fourth in the 3200 with a time of 12:05.44; David Chapman placed seventh in the 300 hurdles; Quincy Styles-Depoe placed fifth in the 300 hurdles and Wyatt Campbell placed eighth in the 3200.

For the Hot Springs varsity women, Georgia Uski placed 10th in the discus and Kara Christensen placed 11th in the 400.

Plains, Noxon and Thompson Falls track and field teams will all meet up in Libby this Saturday for the Libby Invitational.