Coach Bruce Thomas joined the PHS teaching staff in 1982 and became the girls head track coach in 1990. 1999 saw the girls bring a trophy home from state for the first time as they placed 3rd in the State A. The 1999-2000 track season saw the Lady Pirates accomplish another milestone. They won the Western A Divisional for the first time in school history. Bree Fuqua led the way with Divisional and State titles in the Shotput and Discus setting an All-State record in the shotput to go along with the her All-State record in the discus. The girls won Polson’s first state title in girls track and field in 2003 and repeated the feat in 2004. This team was led by multiple state champions Kasey Harwood and Melinda Owen. Both of these girls have gone on to successful careers in track and field at major colleges. Mr. Thomas was the girls class A track and field coach of the year in each of those years.
Bruce also coached the girls basketball teams for a number of years. His girls teams won three Western “A” divisional championships and placed 2nd and 4th at state on two occasions. The girls won over 200 games during his coaching tenure. He was the winningest, most successful coach the girls’ program has ever had.