Apr. 28—GRAND FORKS — Matt Fischer met his wife Abbie (Gibbs) Fischer in the Grand Forks track and field throwing program.

They have a shot put and discus ring in their backyard.

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Matt has been coaching Grand Forks youth in the throws for more than 20 years and when he needed help at a meet over the years, he volunteered any of his five kids.

"When I needed workers, I'd say grab the rake, grab the tape and grab the marker," Fischer said.

Clearly, throwing is in the blood of the Fischer kids. And this year, that upbringing is paying off in big ways for the Central boys track and field program.

Senior Lucas Fischer has the third-best throw in the state in the shot put this spring and the fifth-best throw in the discus. Freshman Asher Fischer has the best javelin throw in the state at 173 feet, 10 inches. Junior Eli Fischer had the best 2025 season of the Fischer siblings, throwing his best last season at the state meet, finishing sixth in the discus.

At meets, the three Fischer boys have been jostling for spots at the top of the podium, while Matt helps coach the roughly 90 throwers between the two Grand Forks high schools. Matt's 11-year-old son Finn Fischer helps spot the shot put at meets, while his seventh grade daughter Mattie Fischer is throwing at the junior varsity level.

"The hardest part for me is the fact that I'm probably not in it enough as a parent," Matt said. "I have about 90 kids to coach. I see (my kids) in passing in practice. But when we get home, it's fun. In the moment, you're just a coach.

"I try to take snapshots and step back and look around. It's fun now to be at that point where they're competing and having success."

Matt is quick to point out Central's boys throws program is more than just the Fischer boys. Eli Thompson, Tyson Vanyo and Nolan Marshall are all off to strong starts.

"I don't like using words like 'never before' because I know how good the program has been, but you've got to go back like 25 years to see the program at this level," Matt said.

Grand Forks Central head track and field coach Sean Allan is excited about the group, too. He has a sweatshirt that says "Field and Track" — pointing out the importance of the field events for his team.

"They're a lot of fun," Allan said of the Fischer kids. "The three young men work really hard and put a lot of effort into it. They're easy to coach, and they care about their events."

Lucas has taken a jump this year in performance for the Knights and Matt credits the tutelage of Grand Forks Central alum Ethan Thomas and Grand Forks Red River alum Tyler Thoreson. Thomas and Thoreson both had dominant senior seasons in high school and now compete at UND.

"I give 100 percent of the credit to Lucas and the work he put in," Matt said. "Huge shout out to Ethan and Tyler for taking him under their wing and taking him through their training."

Matt calls the Grand Forks throws program a family, led by veteran coaches Tim Tandeski and Lee Baker. Baker's daughters, Abby and Kaylee, are also volunteer coaches this spring.

"It's a surreal year in general," Matt said. "It's a family affair. Baker was my coach, and I've known his girls since they were born. Tandeski coached me and my kids. The thing I want to try to hold on to this year is making memories and enjoying it as much as I can."

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