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The sun was shining in Libby on Saturday as Thompson Falls, Noxon and Plains track and field teams competed at the Libby Invitational. It was an optional Spring Break meet. Joining Alexis Deming as a state qualifier were Ellie Baxter and Emily Brown.

"This was a successful meet for our team," said Blue Hawk Coach Trenna Ferris. Both the Blue Hawk men's and women's teams placed second out of six teams. All eight women placed in events and ten out of the 14 men who competed placed. Ferris said that the team is trying to get all the kinks worked out and are solidifying where athletes belong. "It's getting to be that time where we start narrowing down the events athletes are trying, start really analyzing technique and continue to refine our skills."

The Blue Hawk women recorded 15 personal records. Baxter qualified for state in the 3200 with a time of 12:10.25. Baxter also placed first in the 1600 with a time of 5:43.42 and 3rd in the 400. Jaden Bewick placed 4th in the 3200; Veronica Bewick placed 5th in the 3200, 4th in shot put and 4th in discus; Hattie Neesvig placed 2nd in the 4x100 relay; Trinity Riffle placed 2nd in the 100 with a time of 14.9, 4th in the 400, 3rd in the high jump and 2nd in the 2x100 relay; Katelyn Subatch placed 2nd in the 4x100 relay, 4th in the high jump and 5th in the long jump; Faith Palmer placed 2nd in the 1600, 2nd in the 3200 and 6th in the 400 and Chesney Lowe placed 1st in the long jump with a 15 ft. 6 in. jump, 2nd in the 4x100 relay, 3rd in the 100 and 2nd in the javelin.

The Blue hawk men recorded 17 personal records for the day. Cael Thilmony placed 1st in the 3200 with a time of 11:11.30 and 4th in the 1600; Brock Ryan placed 5th in the 1600; Nick Tessier placed 2nd in the long jump with a 18 foot, 4.75 inch jump and 1st in the 4x100 relay; Justin Haagenson placed 3rd in the 400, 1st in the 4x100 relay and 1st in the 4x400 relay; Bryson LeCoure placed 6th in the high jump, 2nd in the javelin, 3rd in the 300 hurdles and 1st in the 4x400 relay; Kaiden Robins placed 4th in the 400; Ethan Geisbusch placed 5th in the 400, 6th in the 800 and 1st in the 4x400 relay; Breck Ferris placed 3rd in the 100, 2nd in the 200 with a time of 24.52, 1st in the long jump, 2nd in the high jump and 1st in the 4x100 relay; Braedon Ferris placed 1st in the 4x400 relay and Braxton Dorscher placed 5th in the 100, 6th in the 200, 5th in the long jump and 1st in the 4x100 relay.

"Libby went well - the kids are really improving," said Noxon Coach Matt Havens. The Noxon Red Devils recorded 10 personal records for the day. Brown qualified for state in the javelin with a 119 feet, 1 inch throw, which is the third best in the state for class C. "Great throw," said Havens. Brown also placed 2nd in the 400 with a time of 1:03.05 and 3rd in the 300 hurdles.

Skye Irgens placed 6th in the 100, 4th in the 200 and 6th in the 100 hurdles; Maygan Swanson placed 6th in the 200 and Natasha Fisher placed 6th in the shot put.

"Athletes across Track and Field continue to better their marks, and I look forward to what the next several weeks hold," said Plains Coach Rachel Chenoweth. Chenoweth said that she was very pleased with the competitive push by freshman Asher Seymour this past Saturday, "It's fun to watch the athletes grow as they learn the sport as well as begin to see what they are capable of doing."

Jennifer Curran

Horseman Mike Reistroffer hands the baton to Joe Martin in the 4x400 relay at Libby. Plains finished second.

Plains Trotters/Horsemen accomplished 11 personal records for the day. Deming surpassed her previous state qualifying discus throw by four feet, throwing 116 feet, 1 inch for firsst place and she placed first in the shot put. Kalli Tuma placed 3rd in the 200; Alexis Helterline placed 1st in the 800; Teagan Thomas placed 6th in the 300 hurdles and Natasha Fisher placed 6th in the shot put.

Mason Elliot led the Horsemen placing first in the 110 hurdles with a time of 16.12, 1st in the 300 hurdles with a time of 43.29 and 2nd in the 4x400 relay. Jay Flanegan and Mike Reistroffer placed 2nd in the 4x400 relay; Caleb Lakko placed 6th in the shot put, 6th in the javelin and 3rd in the discus with a throw of 111 feet, 7 inches; Joseph Martin placed 2nd in the 4x400 relay and 2nd in the triple jump; Brenden Vanderwall placed 5th in the high jump and 4th in the long jump and Nicholas Hill placed 6th in the long jump.