Track has two components individual and team and in order to succeed at the team component of the track, one criterion is to have a large number of participants. The Thompson Falls girls and boys track teams have just that.

The Thompson Falls boys track team will include 21 boy participants with eight returners and the girls will have 19 athletes, with nine of the members returning to compete for one of the top-caliber track teams in Class C this year.

One of the more impressive statistics the Bluehawks, Lady Bluehawks’ can boast about is they have 11 athletes that lettered during 2017 returning.

The boys will consist of Derek Anderson, Robert Booney, Cody Burk, Harrison Hugus, Justin Morgan, Seth Alarcon, Carson Alexander, Trey Fisher, Brad Lantz, Nick Viera, Austin Cooper, Aaron Daily, Alex Erosa, Cody Garrison, Danny Hoisington, Colby Lantz, Sam Lynch, Richard Mairena, Parker McConnell, Stephan Sorenson and Nate Thibeault.

The girls team will consist of Megan Baxter, Jolia Buchanan, Jody Detlaff, Sierra Hanks, Melissa Munroe, Josey Nessvig, Gabriella Pallister, Riley Wilson, Brooke Bowlin, Aiden Rosales, Lilly VanHuss, Katelyn Wallen, Sarah Detlaff, Rachel Ribeiro, Maya Stiles, Annalynn Stover, Kacey VanZaten, Trinity Godfrey and Haley Morgan.

In addition to the athletes the Bluehawks, Lady Bluehawks also have a staff of assistant coaches that bring a number of years experience to the team including Sarah Naegeli, Amy Gilbert, and Jake Susic.

Bluehawks, Lady Bluehawks’ coach Trenna Ferris expressed optimism headed into this season.

“We have a really strong returning coaching staff with experience,” Ferris said. “We have a strong program and tradition. We have 17 student-athletes that have a great work ethic.”

The Bluehawks’ boy’s track team will return Danny Hoisington, who was the District and Divisional champion in the triple jump clearing 41 feet, 3.5 inches. Hoisington will look to build on that success as he enters his senior year.

Ferris said they are expecting a lot from the veteran returners this season.

“We would like our veteran athletes to be good leaders/mentors and inspire younger athletes,” Ferris said.”We would also like all athletes to compete to the best of their ability, to practice hard and to improve at every meet. We have been working on training the “whole athlete.” We focus a lot on overall conditioning, fundamentals in each event area, proper mechanics, and overall effort and a positive attitude.”