County runners prepare for state meet

The Thompson Falls cross country team felt the energy of the home crowd and put forth an impressive performance last week as they hosted the Western B/C Invitational at River's Bend Golf Course on Wednesday.

The Blue Hawk girls won first place as a team, and Baxter sisters Ellie and Aubrey went one in two individually as senior Ellie was the first to cross the finish line in 21 minutes, 41 seconds and eighth-grade sister Aubrey finished second in 22:06. Faith Palmer also finished in the top 5, finishing fourth in 22:46. Mollie Nichols and Kylee Huff ended up in the top 20, finishing in 26:08 and 26:21, respectively. Huff set a personal record in the divisional race.

"It was great racing for the girls, a great team effort from each and every one of them, and a well deserved first place," Coach Sarah Naegeli said after the race. "They are excited to compete in Missoula next weekend!"

Kellyn Carr ran in the JV race with a time of 30:49 and completed her season at divisional.

For the boys, Cael Thilmony will return to the state meet after finishing eighth at the home divisional meet in 18:33. "Cael is our lone returning state runner from last year, and he is ready to challenge himself again at that level. He's been putting in the miles since June and looks forward to a second race on the Missoula course this year," said Naegeli. Brock Ryan ran the divisional course in 19:59, JT Taylor finished in 20:54, and Simon Armstrong (21:47) and Blake Shusterman (22:19) each set a personal record last Wednesday. Wesley Powers finished in 25:11.

In the JV boys race, James O'Dowd (22:19) and Jakob Molina (26:03) each finished their seasons with personal bests, and Maika Hammer ran the course in 26:03. "Our boys team is a young (in racing years and miles) group, so this has been a learning year for them," Coach Nageli said. "Cael is the only runner with more than two years of experience and he has done a fine job setting an example in leadership, dedication and sportsmanship. That being said, I appreciate the improvement that this group of boys has shown at every meet as they learn how to race and learn the courses."

The Plains cross country team also competed at the Western B/C meet, with Kassidy O'Keefe finishing in 21st place for the girls in 27:15, Peyton Wasson in 28:00 and Lilly MacDonald in 28:52. For the boys, Kalem Ercanbrack finished in 21:33.

In the junior high race, Simeon Costner crossed the finish line first among all boys in 11:56. Costner was nearly 1.5 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. Costner also was first among junior high boys during the Thompson Falls Invitational earlier this year.

Hot Springs boys Wyatt and Elijah Campbell finished the Western B/C course in 21:19 and 22:02, respectively.

Joshua White of Hot Springs finished fourth in 13:25, Talon Ferlan of Plains crossed the finish line in 15:21, while in the girls' middle school race, Hot Springs runners Zoe Kifer (16:45) and Lilly Madsen (20:00) also competed.

The junior high Blue Hawk team finished their season at the divisional meet on Wednesday, and Coach Holly Franck was proud of her team's performance. "Every week I say that I am impressed and proud, but it really cannot be more true after the meet on Wednesday," Coach Franck said. "These kids have made me laugh this season and made my first year so memorable."

Audrey Fairbank led the young Hawk girls, finishing third overall with a time of 14:09, while Weston Block was fifth in the boys' race with a time of 13:27. "Our kids worked so hard," Franck said. "I couldn't have asked for better weather, and we had a great turnout from family, friends and the community."

Also competing for the junior high team were Lexi Franck (15:05), Brooke Flemmer (19:57), Addie Traver (20:08), Evan Lofthus (14:15), Wyatt Franklin (15:11), Nathan Baxter (15:22), Noah Hill (15:38) and Remi Ryan (18:09).

The high school teams will compete Saturday in the state meet at the University of Montana golf course.