A strong showing by eighth grade runners is adding a boost to postseason hopes as well as the future of Thompson Falls cross country fortunes.

This past Saturday several youngsters teamed with a solid crew of upperclassmen as the Blue Hawks runners had a strong showing at the Mission Shadows Invitational XC meet in Polson.

The 5K (3.1 mle) run was held at the Silver Fox Golf Course on a sunny but windy Fall afternoon.

The T Falls women continued their solid season with a pair of runners placing in the top 20 in Polson, led by freshman Aubrey Baxter, who placed fifth and recorded a time of 21:42. She was joined in the top 20 by eighth grader Lexi Franck, who finished the course in 24:06.

Peighton Kenny placed 21st in the race with a time of 24:18.

In the men’s competition, senior Cael Thilmony finished 12th, crossing the line at the 17:49 mark, one second off his personal best time at 5K

The Blue Hawks men also got a strong showing from an eighth grade runner as Weston Block set a new personal record, finishing 48th with a time of 19:49.

No team scores were available for the event which attracted cross country runners from throughout the area.

“It was a windy, grassy route on a golf course,” said T Falls XC coach Sarah Naegeli. “Small rolling hills with lots of fun hay bales to jump over.”

The women’s team did have a minor injury as the result of the hay bales placed on the course as Jaden Bewick twisted her ankle jumping over one of the bales, Naegeli said. However, she still finished the race with a time of 33:44.

Other T Falls women who participated were: Addie Traver, 45th (28:45), and Evalyn Edwards, who finished third in the JV race with a time of 28:02.

For the Blue Hawks men, Blake Shusterman came in 62nd place with a time of 21:21. Other men’s runners were: Tuff Ryder (21:23, new PR); Evan Lofthus, another of the eighth grade group, 22:08; Sean Nowland 23:11, new PR; and, Jacob Molina, 23:50, another new PR.

“We had a great week of training in this beautiful fall weather,” Naegeli said. “We are looking forward to the Western B/C meet this week (Thursday at River’s Bend GC) 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.”