Thompson Falls hits the ground running
<p>Angela Padden jumps over a hurdle during practice. Padden has been a member of the track and field team for four years. </p>
THOMPSON FALLS – The Bluehawk Track and Field team looks healthy this year and each athlete has had time to hone in on their individual skills.
With the sun shining, the kids spent time on the track, jumping, throwing and running their way into the new season. Practice started on Monday, March 17 and since then, the athletes have been able to pin down their strengths.
Head Coach Randy Symon said the first three days were spent testing the kids to find the event they would excel in. Once that was completed, they were split up into groups and have been working hard to improve on the field whether it be by sprinting, jumping or throwing.
Although down on numbers from last year, the team has 57 students on the team – a solid number to work with.
According to Head Coach Randy Symon, the team is young after graduating a good number of seniors last year. Preston Schubert, Dominic Holt, Hope Reid and Allison Vaught were all strong competitors and the team will have to step up their game to fill in their shoes, especially Schubert’s. Schubert took first in multiple events at the State Meet and placed in a few others.
With hard work and dedication, the returning athletes will excel. Although the season has just begun, Coach Symon knows he has some very talented kids. Both Logan Beckman and Shasta Wilson were state competitors last year in throwing events and are back at it again. Angela Padden is in her fourth year of track and was credited as one of the stronger kids on the team, competing in multiple events.
Logan Naegeli, also competed at the state competition and Coach Symon said he is one of the best kids in the division. Dylan Vaught and Tanner Laws are expected to do well in the distance portion of the meets.
As for Trais Hoisington, he competed well on a relay team last year and is expected to excel even further this year.
Not only are the returning athletes strong, but Coach Symon said there is a powerful group of younger athletes on the team.
“We have some young kick butt kids,” Coach Symon said.
He expects good things from McKenzie Holt, Shey Hannum, Garrett Strine, Jillian Nelson and his secret weapon, Autrey Hannum.
“I don’t want to brag her up too much, too early but she is probably the most talented track kid I’ve ever had in my entire life. And I’m talking 35 years of watching track kids,” Coach Symon said.
He credited Autrey as a competitive athlete and although a freshman, his hopes for her are high. Her sister Shey, a sophomore this year, is also expected to do quite well.
The kids have high expectations to work towards and Coach Symon already knows what he wants to see at the end of the season.
With the talent on his team, as well as the other schools within Sanders County, Coach Symon would like to see the podiums at the state tournament filled with Sanders County kids.
“I’d like to see that happen at the state level – the top three or four places be all Sanders County kids,” Coach Symon said.
In order to do that, he knows there is plenty of work ahead of them but if the kids are willing to put forth the effort, anything is possible.
Their first track meet will be the Ronan Invite on Saturday, March 29.