Getting stronger every day

Seeming to be getting stronger every day, the Thompson Falls track and field teams surged to an impressive pair of second place finishes in the Seeley-Swan Invitational at Frenchtown Friday.

Keyed by great performances from their senior team leaders, Cody Burk in the throws and Justin Morgan in the distance runs, the Hawk boys scored 86 points to finish right behind Fairfield's 89.

Paced by event wins from freshmen – Hattie Neesvig claimed first place in the high jump and Fatih Palmer ran to victory in the 1600 meters – the Hawk girls finished the meet with 83 points, second to Clark Fork's 109.

"Wow! What an exciting day for the Blue Hawk track and field team!" Thompson Falls coach Trenna Ferris said. "Overall, we couldn't be more proud of our small team, the effort was incredible."

Burk enjoyed one of his most productive days of the season in Missoula. Having just signed with Montana Tech to join the Oreddiggers track and field team (see other story) Burk went out and won the shot put (45-7) and the discus (138-10.5), besides placing fourth in the javelin.

Already signed on with Carroll College on a cross country running scholarship, Morgan was perhaps even more impressive, churning out wins in the 800 (2:09.55), 1600 (4:46.50) and 3200 (10:30.37), in addition to running a leg on the fourth place 1600 meter relay.

Neesvig, who seems to show marked improvement each week in her jumping events, won the high jump with a best leap of 4-10, also winning third in the triple jump (31-01) and running legs on both Hawk relays.

Palmer ran down her first place in the 1600 meters in 6:20.85, placed fourth in the 800 and joined Neesvig in running on both relays.

The senior team leader for the Hawk girls, Jody Detlaff had yet another outstanding day, claiming first place in the discus (101-9.50), tying for first in the high jump at 4-10 with Neesvig but settling for second on the basis of made and missed jumps, and placing second in the shot with a put of 31-7.

Staying with the Hawk girls, Josey Neesvig won third in the 800 meters and ran on both relays, Chesney Lowe won fifth in the triple jump and sixth in the pole vault and also ran on the relays, and Mollie Nichols placed third in the 3200 and fourth in the 1600.

Back with the boys, sophomore Breck Ferris had another productive day, placing second in the triple jump and making the finals in the long jump, Will Hyatt won third in the 3200 meters and fourth in the 1600, Levi Myers won fourth in the 3200, and Dante Micheli placed third in the 200 meters and also made the finals in the long jump.

Ferris, Morgan, Hyatt and Micheli teamed up to win fourth in the 1600 meter relay.

Coach Ferris noted many of her other athletes, including Blakely Lakko, Kael Brown, Briar Palmer, Justin Haagenson, Alex Sneper, Dan Shirer, Watson DiBona and Lance Palmer all turned in personal best efforts in Missoula as well.

Based on their marks and times so far from this season, a total of 16 of Thompson Falls' male and female track and female athletes were to have competed in the Top 8 meet in Eureka Tuesday, but results of that competition were not available at press time.