Gunderson sets school record, T-Falls runs well at home

Matt Unrau

The Thompson Falls cross country team all agreed that their home course which doubles as the golf course is a fast course. However, no one knew it was this fast. The top four varsity girl runners all crushed their previous best times and Senior Becca Gunderson broke the school record by running a blazing 19:45, nearly half a minute better than the previous record of 20:13.

Due to an unlikely coincidence Gunderson had tied the school record twice last year surprising her and annoying her at the same time. “C’mon! I could run a little faster just to break it,” thought Gunderson after tieing the record twice. “The first time it’s surpising. The second time, that’s amazing,” says Coach Sarah Naegeli.

But, for Gunderson there is some extra sweetness that comes from breaking the record on her home course. “That(breaking record on home course) is cool and for my senior year, to go out like that is really cool,” says Gunderson.

It wasn’t just Gunderson who excelled at the meet, but following her sixth place finish three of her teammates finished one after another to all fall in the top 15 at the meet. Mariah Naegeli finished in 11th place with a time of 20:23 followed by Jeffreyanne Parker, 20:32, and Monica Conlin, 20:39, in 12th and 13th place respectively.

Last year at the state meet the Lady Hawks finished in fourth place. As the state team needs five top finishers Coach Naegeli is still looking for another Varsity girl to emerge and help the team outdue last year’s performance. Thompson Falls finished in third place at the meet.

Lucas Gruwell of Thompson Falls broke the course record for junior high boys at the meet.