Hawks tracksters set sights on peaking by May

For Thompson Falls head track coach Trenna Ferris, a basic concept is a season-long goal.

“Every year, our goal is to ‘Train for May,’” she said. “Every year we would like to get more athletes out of the regular season and into the postseason.”

Noting that only the top six in each event qualify to move on from the district tourney to the Divisional meet, and moving to the State finals means finishing in the top six at Divisionals requires lots of hard work. 

“We will work hard with those athletes who came out, push them to their potential and celebrate their successes. Every little personal improvement helps.  We hope to have a great season and have a lot of unknown abilities.”

A large, talented turnout laden with postseason experience may make that task more attainable this season. 

Six athletes return from last year’s Blue Hawks and Lady Hawks teams advanced to the state B finals last season, with another four making it to the divisional round. 

Heading the list is senior Braedon Ferris, who placed second in the state discus finals last year.  Ferris will also compete in the shot put for the Blue Hawks. 

Ian Myers, who qualified for state last year in the javelin, will compete in the event again, along with the high jump and some running events. 

Peighton Kenney, who made it to state as a member of the Lady Hawks’ 4X400 relay team, will also compete in running, javelin and pole vault this year.  Sophomore Addy Deal competed at state in the javelin and was on the 4X400 relay squad. She will throw the javelin again this season, along with competing in pole vault, triple jump and some running events. 

Kaden Cox made it to state for the Lady Hawks in the long jump, 4X100 relay and 100-meter sprint. Teammate Riley Keefe made it to state in the long jump, 4X100 relay and the 100-meter dash. 

In addition to those six, Zach Ames (throwing events), Gabe Hutton (throwing), Teagan Dorscher (jumping events) and Evy Edwards (running) qualified for the Divisional meet last season. 

Also returning from last year’s teams are Wyatt and Everett Brotherton (throwing), Colton Arnold (throwing) and Kaleb Vanek (running). 

A strong group of young athletes who are new to the track program this year include Weston Block, a sophomore who has excelled in cross country and wrestling this year, and Lexi Franck, a member of the T Falls girls cross country team. 

Gone from last year’s team due to graduation are Braxton Dorscher, Cael Thilmony, Faith Palmer and Trinity Riffle.  Thilmony and Palmer were standout distance runners, while Riffle was a sprinting mainstay for the Lady Hawks in 2024. 

“This is a great group of returners with postseason experience,” said coach Ferris. “These athletes are leaders and good role models as well. We have state competitors with big goals this year and that helps create a hard work environment and a positive culture.  These individuals will push each other to become better, which in return makes the team better.  We also have great returning coaches who love track and field”. 

Ferris acknowledged the road to state is a tough one, given the strength of teams in the Western B Division. 

“Our District is competitive and is home to many great athletes,” Ferris said. “Troy, Mission, Superior, Eureka and Plains always have good athletes who will be tough.”

The eyes at T Falls are clearly on the prize: postseason championships. 

“We would like to push our top athletes to reach their full potential by postseason,” coach Ferris said. “We have high expectations in practice and that usually translates into competition. Some of our returnees are still young and I am looking forward to watching them again this year to see progress. 

“We celebrate all success, big or small, we account for every little improvement each week and try to encourage the athletes to Train for May.”