Libby track and field eyes strong season with returners, promising newcomers

The Libby Loggers track and field team is gearing up for what promises to be an exciting season. 

With a mix of experienced returners and a talented group of underclassmen, the team is looking to build on last year’s success and make a strong push for the podium at the divisional and state tournament.

A Promising Start for Underclassmen

Coach Josh Bean is optimistic about the program's future, especially with a large group of freshmen and sophomores joining the ranks this season. After seeing growth and success at the divisional and state levels last year, the coaching staff is excited to continue developing these young athletes.

“For them, we are looking at finding the right events and getting enough technique sessions to see them improve,” Bean said. “Most of the time, track is a 2-to-3 year process in order to get the technique down in the events, so they can compete at their best. With these young kids, we need to keep them hungry for more throughout the season. With our returners we will look to push them even further to get them on the podium in May.”

Returners Set to Lead the Team

Libby’s track team has a strong core of returners this year, many of whom are poised to make a splash at the divisional and state competitions.

Tristan Andersen, a junior, returns to the team after impressive finishes last year, placing second in high jump and fifth in javelin. His goal this season is to build on those results for prime real estate on the podium in May.

Bergen Fortner, a senior, returns as a key competitor in the long jump. After finishing third last year in the long jump, she should be an athlete this season to watch in that event. She nearly medaled in the triple jump and was 13th at state in the 100-meter hurdles.

Fortner has also committed to compete at Montana Tech.

Freshman Capri Farmer had an outstanding debut last year, finishing fifth in the state in the 3,200-meter run. As an eighth-grade student, Farmer was also 12th in the 1,600. Farmer ran a 11:51.86 in the 3,200, 21 seconds behind champion Aleigha Child, a freshman at Hamilton.

At the divisional meet the week before in Columbia Falls, Farmer set the Libby school record in the 3,200 with a time of 11:44.74. Farmer eclipsed the school mark set in 1981 by Denise Waldron. 

Farmer has also set her sights on Libby's 1,600 school record, held by the late Lori Krull, who set the mark in 1979-80?????.

Rowen Sherbo, a senior, will once again lead the team in the 800 meters. 

At state last year, the 4x400-meter relay team of Tristan Andersen, Colter Anderson, Cody Watson and Rowen Sherbo placed 19th in 3:43.05.

Cody Watson, a sophomore, is another standout in the distance group. Having competed in the 3,200 meters last season, Watson has shown great potential. He was 14th in the 3,200-meter run in 10:30.42 and won a state medal in cross country last fall.

Sidnie Thompson, a sophomore, is a versatile athlete who will compete in shot put, discus and javelin this year. Her broad skill set and determination make her a key asset for the team. She was 14th in the state in the shot put in 2024.

“We also have a couple of athletes in almost every event that has the ability to compete, with the exception being the sprints,” Bean said. 

New Faces Bring Fresh Energy

The Loggers welcome several new athletes to the team this year, all bringing unique strengths to the table. 

Drake Wofford, a senior, is expected to contribute to various events, adding depth to the team’s already strong roster. Additionally, Libby has two foreign exchange students joining the ranks: Danny Waletzki and Alex Tomasi, both seniors. While new to the team, they’ll bring a wildcard element this season.

Hailey Misner, a sophomore, is another exciting addition to the team, and the Loggers see her as a key contributor this year.

Team Strengths and Challenges

The team’s strength lies in the distance events, where athletes such as Sherbo, Colter Anderson, Watson, Farmer and Vivian are expected to shine.

“Coach Dan Rose does an amazing job with this group of kids, and they are very competitive,” Bean said.

However, Bean acknowledges that the team’s biggest challenge this season will be in the sprints. While the team has strength in distance and field events, speed in the sprint events remains an area of growth.

"The Western A league is incredibly tough," Coach Bean said. "Since 2018, a Western A team has either been the boys’ state champion or shared it. On the girls’ side, the state champion has come from the west, except for Laurel in 2021. If our athletes can advance from divisionals to state, they’ll have a real shot at making it onto the podium."

Looking Ahead to the Season

This season, the Loggers will host two high school track meets at Logger Stadium. The first is the Libby Invitational on Saturday, April 12, followed by the County Meet on Thursday, May 1. These events are vital for the team’s success and allow local athletes to showcase their talents.

As Coach Bean points out, "It takes a lot of people to run a track meet successfully. If anyone is interested in helping out, we encourage them to contact Nik Rewerts at Libby High School."

With a talented group of athletes, a strong coaching staff, and a focused approach to training, the Libby Loggers are ready to make several impressive marks this season.

The Loggers begin the season Friday, March 28 at Eureka, then compete at Bigfork Saturday, April 5. They'll also be at the Kalispell time trials on April 8.