GGF track and field preview: Throwing roots run deep for Grand Forks Central's Fischer family
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.
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.