Cross country keeps up strong strides

The runners of Thompson Falls And Plains took on the grassy Silver Fox Golf course in Polson this past weekend.

Running on several small rolling hills with lots of fun hay bales to jump over, the boys team had several close personal bests and new personal bests. Cael Thilmony was only one second away from his personal best with an amazing time of 17 minutes, 45 seconds, earning him sixth place. Weston Block had an impressive performance earning him a time of 19:49, a new personal best for the eighth grader. Tuff Ryder earned himself a personal record time of 21:23. Sean Nowlan (23:11) and Jakob Molina (23:50) rounded out the new personal bests for the boys team. Evan Lofthus earned a great time of 22:06 for his second high school meet as an eighth grader.

Aubrey Baxter led the girls with an admirable time of 21:42, earning her fifth place. Eighth grader Lexi Franck finished in second for the Hawks in 24:06. Peighton Kenny was behind her crossing the finish line with a time of 24:18. Addie Traver earned herself an excellent time of 28:45. Evalyn Edwards placed third for JV with a stunning time of 28:02.

“We’ve had a great week of training in this beautiful fall weather, and are looking forward to Western B/C this week on Thursday and the rapidly approaching state meet! The enthusiasm of our eighth graders stepping up, as well as the experience and leadership of our high school runners, is a great combination right now,” said Coach Sarah Naegeli.

The junior high Hawks also competed on Saturday, and Coach Holly Franck said the course was nice and grassy and the weather was perfect.

The boys finished in eighth as a team, led by Chase Giegling in 13:21. Franck said Giegling has been improving every race and is really stepping up as a great competitor for the Hawks. Nathan Baxter ran the course in14:18, Jonathan Toyias 15:03, Kaleb Susic 15:26 and Lane Thilmony 17:42.

The junior high girls only had three team members compete, but Franck said they made the coaches very proud. Libby Franck made the top 10 with a time of 14:01. “Libby has been working hard to better herself in every race. Shea Haas has also been so strong this season and ran a 14:17, and Gabby Taylor had a fantastic race, 15:03,” Coach Franck said.

“I am so proud of them all,” she added. “These kids have really put their hearts into this season and I look forward to seeing what they do at our Western B/C meet Thursday here in Thompson Falls.”

Plains runners ran on Silver Fox Golf course this past weekend as well. The boys team was led by John Owen Jermyn who had an outstanding time of 17 minutes, 46 seconds. Behind him was Joseph Martin who earned a stunning time of 19 minutes, 25 seconds. Kalem Ercanbrack ran in close behind with a time of 19 minutes, 40 seconds. Drew Carey (20:23) and Asher Seymour (24:44) rounded out the boys team.

Marina Tulloch ran a great race with a fantastic time of 20 minutes, 38 seconds. Annika Ercanbrack crossed the finish line with a time of 22 minutes, 44 seconds. Savannah Costner (23:15) found teammate Ashley Ferlan (23:23) only a few seconds behind her. Peyton Wasson got a dazzling time of 25 minutes, 47 seconds for the girls team.

The Horsemen and Trotter runners will be in Thompson Falls this Thursday for the Western B/C meet.