A good mix of experience and youth is being counted on this year to drive the Thompson Falls track and field teams throughout the 2022 season.

Among those are six state caliber performers from last year’s Blue Hawks teams, led by senior distance ace Will Hyatt who recently grabbed a pair of wins in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs at last weekend’s Eureka Invitational.

And the Lady Hawks will be counting on junior Chesney Lowe who opened the season in Eureka with wins in the pole vault and javelin to go along with a third place time in the girls’ 200 meters.

“We have several athletes, freshmen through senior, who are out this year and are brand new to the sport”, head coach Trenna Ferris said. “But among those are several who are displaying potential as we getting ready for the track season”.

And based on the eagerness of this year’s teams to learn and get better, Ferris is optimistic as the season gets underway.

“We are looking forward to a great season and for the athletes to work on personal improvement,” Ferris said. “We are training for May and improving every week is our goal”.

One of those promising youngsters is sophomore jumper Hattie Neesvig, who will be competing in the jumping events and both relays. Neesvig, a state competitor from last year in the high jump took second in that event in the Eureka meet, while winning both the long and triple jump events.

Another talented youngster, sophomore Faith Palmer is expected to be a solid contributor this year after competing at last season’s state meet in the distance races and as a member of the relay team. Palmer got off to a good start this past weekend when she won the 3200 meter run and took second in the 1600.

For the T Falls boys, junior Jesse Claridge was a surprise winner of the 100 meter race at Eureka and ran legs on both first place relay teams.

And junior Breck Ferris, a state competitor in the jumping events a year ago, garnered first place finishes in the long and triple jumps and added a second place showing in the high jump this past weekend in Eureka.

Ferris said the willingness of this year’s team to work hard should translate into a solid showing in the region’s track standings.

“We are impressed with the quality of athletic ability and the sportsmanship and leadership we have this year,” said Ferris, who is entering her fifth year as head track coach.

Ferris credits her coaching staff for leading the way in developing the athletes and helping them improve every week. Joining Ferris on the T Falls staff are: Jake Susic, throwing events; Sarah Naegeli, distance running; Amy Gilbert in the jumping events and sprints; and volunteer coach Scott Gilbert who is helping out with jumper and sprinters.

“We have a great, veteran coaching staff”, Ferris said. “They have been with the program for a long time. I will coach jumps, pole vault, sprints and some hurdles”.

Ferris also added volunteer pole vault coach Bill McGuire to the list of those making an impact on the success of the track and field program.

“We push our athletes to become better athletes by having a growth mentality,” Ferris said.

Thompson Falls will travel northeast this weekend to participate in the Bigfork Invitational meet as the season picks up steam.