They loss their top gun from last year, but the Thompson Falls cross country team appears to have reloaded as the 2022 season gets underway.

Gone from last year’s team is Will Hyatt, who was the top point collector for the team last season and has now moved on to run for UM Western in Dillon. Hyatt earned all-state honors for his efforts last season.

A solid turnout and several experienced runners from last year return for what shows promise of being a good year for the Blue Hawks.

Heading the field of top returnees are junior Cael Thilmony and senior Mollie Nichols along with 2022 track standout, junior distance runner Faith Palmer.

Head coach Sarah Naegeli is optimistic about the group of returning runners and their work ethic.

“Mollie and Cael put in some serious mileage this summer and are also mentally ready to race,” Naegeli said. “We have some great returning runners, including JT Faith and Alek Sweaden who will be great leaders for the team’s newcomers”.

The main goal this year, Naegeli said, is to improve the team standing from last year.

Naegeli said Mission’s boys team is among several strong teams that are expected to make the local cross country season very competitive.

“Mission already had a great meet at the Deer Lodge event earlier this year,” she said.

In addition to Thilmony and Nichols, Naegeli and assistant coaches Holly Frankc, who coaches T Falls junior high squad, along with Jeneese Baxter and volunteer Haley Morgan will be looking for points from among a group of five high school girls and 10 boys who turned out this Fall. And more talent is on the way.

“We also have a junior high team that will compete with us,” she said. “The junior high team has seven girls and six boys out this year.”

Naegeli said early results are promising for both the boys and girls Blue Hawks runners.

“We didn’t have our full team running yet,” Naegeli said of a recent season opening meet in Deer Lodge. “Nine runners competed, with Mollie finishing third and Faith (Palmer) fourth in girls varsity competition. Cael finished seventh among the boys.”

The turnout and hard work have already begun to pay off.

At the recent Abayance Bay Triangular (Libby, Eureka and T Falls) the Hawks finished one-two in the girls varsity competition, with Palmer first with a time of 23:54 and Mollie Nichols second in 25:29. The Blue Hawks boys got a second from Thilmony (19:36) and placed four other runners in the top 20.

"Fath and Mollie led the entire way and Cael was up front also," said coach Naegeli."Blake Schusterman finished 16th with a personal best time of 25:20, which is even more impressive given the wind and smoky conditions along the course. This race, and this week of practice will make us mentally stronger. Overall we competed very well given the conditions."

Up next for the T Falls runners is the Flathead Invitational in Kalispell this Friday at 1 p.m. Their first home meet, the Thompson Falls Invitational is scheduled for Tuesday, September 20 at 2 p.m.