It’s hard to keep a good man down, especially when he really, really wants to run in the worst way. Or should we say in the best way?

Led by irrepressible sophomore Weston Block, who insisted on competing in the varsity race at the prestigious Mountain West Invitational in Missoula and then fell, got stepped on, got back up and promptly ran a lifetime best time, coach Sarah Naegeli and her Hawk harriers participated in the biggest race of any cross country regular season Saturday at the University of Montana golf course.

Although Block was the only Hawk to compete in the varsity races in Missoula he was not the only Falls harrier to shine on one of Montana’s biggest cross country stages. His effort was the highlight however.

“Weston was our lone varsity runner. He wanted in with the big teams and ran quite well,” coach Sarah Naegeli said. “In fact he ran another PR (personal record), despite being knocked down, spiked on his ankle and being trampled over his knee. He bounced back up and finished in 17:12. That kid is tough.”

In spite of the chaotic beginning Block finished 92nd in the ultra-tough race. A total of over 590 runners competed in the boys varsity race. “A top 100 finish after falling,” Naegeli said admiringly. “He's having a great season.”

Naegeli said race day in Missoula Saturday was a mass of running humanity. “Mountain West was even larger than usual. There were 600-plus in the JV girls race, and even more with the JV boys,” she said. “We opted to run most of our team JV, as those races were earlier in the morning and would be just as competitive.”

Naegeli said the rest of the high school Hawks besides Block ran in the JV races and were better off for it. “We were thankful we chose the earlier races as it just got hotter and dustier,” she said.

With the boys, Naegeli said Nathan Baxter finished in a season-best time 20:34 despite racing with two different types of shoes (“Lesson learned: it's better to check your black race shoes in the light, rather than the dark of the early morning,” Naegeli said). Ethan

Traver “had an outstanding race day,” Naegeli said, adding that he finished with a new PR of 20:38.

Blake Shusterman recorded a time of 21:07, eighth grader Jonathan Toyias completed the UM course in 21:21, and Wyatt Clawson clocked 23:41. Naegeli said Toyias qualified for the state meet with his fine effort.

Naegeli said she gave the Hawk girls goals before the race and that she felt they exceeded every one of those goals.

“Libby Franck, an 8th grader, finished her race with a time of 22:05, and will be going to state,” Naegeli said, adding that her sister Lexi Franck was next, with another season best time of 23:20.

“Gabby Taylor, another eighth grader, finished in 24:27 and will also be going to state,” she added. “She has steadily improved this year, looked great on the infamous hill, and I am excited to see how she races at Western B/C.”

The Hawks’ fourth finisher in the girl's race was Maddy Zyromski. Her time of 26:43 will also qualify for state, Naegeli said, adding that Zyromski has been battling shin splints recently.

Naegeli said her harriers added community service to their homecoming week festivities last week. “I want to mention that this XC team (along with their junior high counterparts) worked such a long day on Thursday, but it was so worth it,” she said. “We had a bake sale and 50/50 raffle and raised over $1,000 for Pediatric cancer awareness and research. (National Pediatric Cancer Foundation). We live in a truly wonderful area, and so much appreciate the community support at the Plains/Thompson Falls volleyball game to make this such a success.”

Naegeli said next week is a busy race week as the Hawks will be competing in Whitefish on Tuesday and hosting the Thompson Falls Invitational at River’s Bend golf course Saturday. She anticipates 400-500 runners from around western Montana will be competing in the Thompson Falls Invite.