BONNERS FERRY — Two Bonners Ferry High School athletes were crowned state champions in track and field this spring season. They happen to be identical twin sisters. 

Hana and Hallie Hartman are both state champions. Hana got things started by winning the state discus title with a throw of 121 feet, 8 inches. Hallie finished third. 

The next day, it was Hallie Hartman’s turn to win, recording a throw of 42 feet, 7 1/2 inches in the shot put. Hana finished right behind in second place. 

It was a dominant season for the pair, who combined for more than 20 wins this spring in all competitions. 

Going into the first day of the state meet in Middleton, Hana Hartman felt confident. 

“The only competition I really had was another girl from Southern Idaho, and at practice, she was looking pretty good,” Hana Hartman said. “Her personal record was a few feet farther than mine, but I threw better at districts, so I was ranked higher. 

“I figured, this is my senior year, I’ve got to make it happen. All my training kind of led up to that point. I was pretty confident that I would win.” 

She won the discus by about 3 feet. 

“I was honestly relieved, because there’s always that thought of, ‘Oh no, what if she throws farther than me in the last round and beats me out?’” Hana Hartman said. “It was really exciting for me.” 

Hana said she never expected discus to become her best event. 

“I didn’t really think I would be a state champion in discus,” she said. “I mean, I knew I had it in me this season, but if you were to ask me freshman year, I never would have thought that I would have been a state champion in discus.” 

Hallie Hartman described May 15 as “a pretty disappointing day,” but entered the shot put competition the following morning as the heavy favorite. 

“I knew going into the competition it was less about winning, because I feel like that was pretty evident, but it was more about competing well for myself,” Hallie Hartman said. 

“I did want to beat the state record while we were there, which unfortunately did not happen. It was really exciting to compete with a lot of girls that I knew and people that I liked, too. I wanted everyone to do well, so it was just fun.” 

Despite being the favorite, Hallie said the mental side of competition remained important. 

“I do a lot better competing under pressure,” she said. “I like having something to prove. There was a lot more than just winning that went into this season. It’s easy to get caught up in the medals and stuff.” 

Their performances at state were the culmination of years of hard work. 

“There’s a lot of physical work that happens,” Hallie Hartman said. “Mostly outside of season, you prep yourself physically, whether it be technique, lots of hours drilling or time in the weight room. When season comes around, it gets a lot more mental.” 

Hana Hartman recognized the uniqueness of what the sisters achieved. 

“Not many times can identical twin sisters come in and both win state titles at the same meet,” she said. “I think it’s a pretty big deal. It was fun sharing the glory, too.” 

The sisters both started competing in shot put and discus during middle school, in part because of current Boundary County School District Vice Chair Teresa Rae. 

“We played basketball,” Hallie Hartman said. “We never knew what the sport was before, but Teresa was the middle school throws coach, and she forced us to come out.” 

They credited their teammates for helping pave the way, including two athletes in particular. 

“Asha Abubakari definitely helped pave the way for all of us because she went to the Division I level for track,” Hallie Hartman said. “Seeing that example, and just that mentorship from her and Helene Rae as well, it was just great being on a team where we’re all so competitive.” 

The Hartmans will both continue their careers at Southern Utah University, where they will compete as Division I athletes in shot put, discus, hammer throw and weight throw.