There is definitely a youth movement afoot among local high school cross country teams.

The top two female harriers are sophomores while the top two male runners are a sophomore and a freshman. 

And much to the delight of local cross country coaches like Thompson Falls’ Sarah Naegeli, that youth is prevalent in the Blue Hawks’ varsity line-up. 

The same surge in talented youth exists at Plains High, the only other high school cross country program in either Sanders or Mineral counties. 

For Naegeli, whose team lost talented Faith Palmer from the girls’ team and Cael Thilmony on the boys’ squad to graduation this past spring, a solid core of returnees paints a bright future for Thompson Falls. 

Sophomore Aubrey Baxter, who placed 26th at the state meet last year, and sophomore Lexi Franck, who came in 48th, are back. Gone is Palmer, who was 14th at the state meet, the top finish by a Lady Hawks runner. 

Two other Lady Hawks runners, Peighton Kenney and Evy Edwards are also back, giving the team depth and potential team points. 

“We have some dedicated returning runners and look forward to some great improvement this year,” Naegeli said.  

For the boys, Thilmony, who was always among the top Thompson Falls runners, graduated. But the Hawks will see the return of one of the most intriguing and talented runners from last year, Weston Blok, who excelled as an eighth grader. Also back for the boys are Blake Schusterman, who showed consistent improvement throughout the season last year, and Tuff Ryder. Both will be counted on to generate team points for the Hawks. 

“Two of our freshmen runners [this year] ran on varsity as eighth graders,” Naegeli said. “They have some valuable experience. Our girls team enjoys working and competing together. It should be a fun season”. 

Naegeli said Plains, with a similar crop of young, talented runners, will be a good team this year. 

This year features a calendar move for the team’s home meet, the Thompson Falls Invitational, from a weekday to Saturday. 

“We look forward to our home meet being on a Saturday this year,” she said. “Hopefully that will bring even more spectators." 

The Thompson Falls Invitational is held each year at the scenic River’s Bend Golf Course just west of the town. This year’s meet is scheduled for Sept. 21.