SHS track senior boys looking for gold at state

SANDPOINT — Every once in awhile a group of athletes come through Sandpoint High School that exemplify the true meaning of Bulldog athletics. This years senior track boys are no exception. Seven senior boys will make the trek south along with three other teammates to compete in a combined 19 events at the state track meet at Boise State University.

According to many coaches that have watched these talented athletes from the other side of a football field, a basketball court or track, graduation cannot come soon enough.

Leading the way for the boys is jumper and sprinter Eric DeMers.

DeMers won four gold regional championship medals last week at the regional track meet in Lewiston, and will represent Sandpoint in the triple jump, long jump, 4x100 and 4x400 relay at state. He also rewrote the football record book last fall for passing percentage and touchdown passes in a game and hopes to add school records in the long and triple jump this weekend.

His father and coach David DeMers said, Eric has made himself a very good athlete with hard work and intelligence.

"He is our leader by example," added DeMers, "and I think the team accepts his role. I am very proud of him as a coach and father and have enjoyed sharing this wonderful time in athletics with him.

His teammate Blake Mahler will represent Sandpoint as the regional champion in the 300 hurdles and the two relays.

"Mahler has been an awesome high school athlete," said DeMers. "He won three gold medals and it would have been four if not for some bad luck in a relay."

According to DeMers, the one thing that separates Blake from other athletes is that he does not accept defeat.

"He is a money guy in all sports as witnessed in football, basketball and track. Pure and simple Blake gets the job done," said DeMers.

Blake now owns the school's 300 meter hurdle record and hopes to add more to the records he broke in football.

Another standout from the football team looking to capture gold in track is Brian Resso. Resso will compete in the shot put and discus and is the regional champion in both events.

"Brian is a raw talent," said DeMers. "He is relatively new to throwing, but has exceptional speed and strength and is very coachable."

Sean Lissy will represent Sandpoint in the shot put after a runner up finish at regionals.

"Sean did not have the best regional meet, but he can do very well at state. I really think that Sean will come close to the school record that belongs to his brother," said DeMers. "He has not even tapped his potential as a putter yet and I know it will come. He just needs to be patient and let it come without pushing."

Another member of the track team that will certainly be in the running for a gold medal is regional champion Dustin Hoogland, who has vaulted 14 feet, 4 inches this year and has the best vault in 4A.

"He is looking to break the school record of 14-9," said DeMers, who thinks he will do just that at state. "Dustin is a great kid and really deserves to be a state champion and record holder. I know he is focused and will do very well at state."

In the 800 meters, Chris Hawkins will come ready to battle for a medal after a second place finish at regionals. Chris was also on the regional champion 4x400 relay.

"Chris is one of the hardest workers I've ever been around in any sport," said DeMers. "He does not quit because it is hard. A couple of years ago Chris was running the hurdles and we needed an 800 runner. Chris changed events and has been an inspiration to us all turning in a life time best of 2:02 last week. Whatever we ask of him he delivers and I can't wait to watch him at state."

Senior Andrew Taylor, who will be one the 4x100 relay runners, will join the squad at state in his first year in track.

"Andrew has been a great surprise for us. When some holes were left from last year we plugged him into the relays and he did great," said DeMers.

With some luck and exceptional efforts DeMers thinks that at least six school records could fall this week.

"That would awesome for these seniors. There is no doubt that these senior athletes are the very heart and soul of Bulldog pride and that they will leave their mark in the minds of all who have had the pleasure of watching them perform," said DeMers.

Rounding out the state team will be junior Chad Hecker in the 100 and 200, junior Eric Stoll in the 4x100 relay and junior Charlie Hirning in the high jump.

On the girls side, freshman Brooke DeMers will be representing Sandpoint as the regional high jump champion and regional runner up in the long jump. Sophomore Katie Adams will be competing in the 100 and 300 hurdles after placing second in both events and her sister, junior Courtney Adams, will be running in the 200 as the regional champion and in the 100 as the regional runner up.

"Even though only three girls qualified for state, I expect them to make some noise in their events," said DeMers. "These girls are very talented and should do very well and I expect them to be in the running for medals in their events."