So what, are softball teams really tougher? Are they a little more weather-hardy, more willing to put up with some pesky rain and/or snow and/or wind than their track and field counterparts?

Judging by the results, or lack of track and field results so far this spring, one would have to be led to the conclusion that yes, softball teams are tougher, they do seem able to play, or at least seem more willing to play in a wider variety of weather conditions than track teams do.

Let’s look at the raw climate and sports participation data for proof. Just last week, track and field meets in Frenchtown and Ronan were cancelled Thursday and the ARM meet in Whitefish followed suit and called off that event Friday, based on a forecast that didn’t seem to develop as badly as it was originally feared it would.

In the meantime, softball season didn’t miss a beat as the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks, for example, played varsity doubleheaders at Ennis Friday and against Three Forks in Thompson Falls Saturday, and Plains hosted a doubleheader with Ennis Saturday.

Consider the fact that the Blue Hawk softball team has played five varsity games (and at least three JV games) already while some track teams in the area have not even competed once yet.

Softball season is going on like nothing has happened while in the track and field season quite literally, nothing has happened yet.

Fortunately track and field fans, that is all set to change this week.

THE 54TH ANNUAL 2026 DAVE TRIPP MEMORIAL track and field meet is set for Polson this Friday and area teams will finally have the chance to show the world what they have got.

The Tripp, as the meet is informally referred to, began as a tribute to Dave Tripp, a 1970 graduate of Hot Springs who reportedly loved the sport of track and field with a passion, but tragically perished in a tragic boating accident in the summer of 1971, leading to the first Hot Springs track meet dedicated in his honor in 1972.

Originally contested on the cinder track field in Hot Springs, the meet was eventually moved to the synthetic track and more modern facility in Polson and has resided there ever since, becoming one of the go-to meets of any season for area teams.

Dave Tripp probably never thought anything about having a meet named after him one day back when he was in high school in Hot Springs in the late 1960’s. Now, the Dave Tripp Meet is one that forces local athletes to always think of him again, for at least for one day in the 2020’s.

You done good Dave, thank you for that. And here’s to thinking of you again next year about this time, fair weather or not.