The Thompson Falls Blue Hawks and the Noxon Red Devils went to Frenchtown for their first meet of the track season, taking on 25 teams between Class A, B and C.

“I thought our athletes went out and competed hard. The veterans, returning from last year, did a great job of being confident and helped the younger athletes, as the first meet is always a little nerve racking. I was impressed with all the athletes and their efforts,” said Thompson Falls Coach Trenna Ferris.

Senior Trinity Riffle started her day strong, earning herself a state qualifying high jump at 4 feet, 10 inches. Addy Deal and Aubrey Baxter, both freshmen, did the triple jump, each leaping into the 30 foot and beyond mark. Deal went on to take fourth place with her jump of 32’6”. She also took fifth place for her stunning 98'11” throw of the javelin. Senior Braxton Dorscher jumped an incredible 18’10” for his long jump, while his younger brother Teagan Dorscher started his high school long jump on the right foot by getting 16’2”. For the Devils, Ricky Willaims earned an amazing jump of 5’10” in the high jump, with Shane Hatchel behind with a jump of 5’2”. Williams proved to have the hops earning second place for his long jump of 20’3”.

Blue Hawk Braedon Ferris took fifth place for discus throwing, reaching 134’4.5”, placing just short of a state qualification. Zack Ames had a 95’2” for Thompson Falls. For Noxon, Kade Hill threw a great 82’7.5”.

James Schmidt threw an astonishing 31’7” for the Hawks in the shot put, and Ames was behind with a throw of 29’1”. For the girls shot put, Serenity Barrus threw a sizable throw of 18’, Amaya Harmon was behind her with 12’9”. The Devils had Shane Murray throwing for them with a fabulous shot put throw of 33’7”, Throwing the javelin, Red Devil Murray proved his sharp and strong arm throwing a dazzling 113’4”. Ian Myers held the top spot for the Blue Hawks with his throw of 106’7”, Ames proved his throwing arm with a 80’2” and Schmidt threw 78’10”. For the girls, Peighton Kenney held the top spot for the Hawks, throwing 63’, Barrus had 59’6” And Amaya Harmon rounded it out for Thompson with a throw of 37’3”.

Coach Ferris said the team has a large group of throwers, all of whom she is excited to see work hard and continue to improve.

In running, Braxton Dorscher ran the 100 meters in just 12.60 seconds. He also ran in the 200 meters, earning a stunning time of 25.38. Ethan Geisbusch also ran the 200 meters, getting a time of 27.07. Noxon’s Hatchel finished the 100 in 14.01. Noxon had several girls running the 100 meters with senior Maygan Swanson leading with a time of 15.09, Emma Swanson behind in 16.40, Seanna Richter crossing the finish line in 17.22, and Natasha Fisher was close behind with a time of 17.31. Maygan Swanson ran a 200-meter race in just 32.10. Riffle proved she can be a double threat for the Hawks earning a time of 1.9 for her 400-meter run. The only Red Devil to run the 400 meter was Chance McDaid with a time of 58.94. Ian Myers a grand 800 meters in just 2 minutes, 30 seconds, for the Hawks. Baxter and Kenney also ran the 800-meter race, Baxter earning a fine time of 2:43 and Kenney behind her in 3:06. Sophie Pizzini ran for Noxon earning a time of 3:044. It was no surprise that senior Cael Thilmony led for the Hawks in the 1600 meters, getting a striking time of 5:088. Myers was close behind with a time of 5:55.68. McDaid for the Devils ran the 1600 meters in a fantastic time of 5:51. Faith Palmer led in the Hawk girls in the 1600 meters with an astonishing time of 6:18, Pizzini of Noxon was close behind with a time of 7:21, while Georgia Boehme finished in just 7:38.

In the men's 110 meter hurdles, Hatchel led for the Red Devils with a wondrous time of 21.52 seconds. Addy Deal led for Thompson in the 100 meter hurdles getting a time of 20.97, and Fisher of Noxon was close behind with a time of 26.42. Geisbisch ran his first hurdle race in the 300 meters, getting an impressive time of 51.42. Fisher also ran the 300-meter hurdles, getting an impressive time of 1:17.

The Hawks had just two relay teams. “We pulled a varsity men's and women's 4x400 relay together and I thought they did extremely well for their first race. This is a tough race. It's a physically demanding race at the end of a very long day and seems to always be in the worst weather,” stated Coach Ferris.

The women’s team included Deal, Palmer, Baxter and Riffle, who ran a great race earning a time of 4:47. The men’s team was Braxton Dorscher, Geisbusch, Myers and Breadon Ferris, who had some tough competition but were able to pull out fifth place with a time of 4:07.

Noxon only had a women's relay team, and that included Richter, both Swanson sisters, and Pizzini; they ran a thrilling race earning a time of 5:29.

The Hawks travel to Bigfork on Saturday, April 6, while Noxon heads to Libby on April 13.