Bulldog runner competing in Big Apple today

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint distance running ace Megan Bartlett will be competing at the prestigious National Scholastic Indoor Championships today at the Armory Track in New York City.

Bartlett, a sophomore at Sandpoint High School, will compete in the 5000 meters against some of the best high school runners in the nation. Her trip was paid for by Aaron Taylor, a track coach from Salt Lake City, Utah, who saw Bartlett run last fall and was impressed by her potential. He's also taking a shot-putter and two milers from the region to compete.

Bartlett finished second last year at the state cross country meet, and emerged as one of the top distance runners in the state. She will run the 3,200 meters for the Bulldogs this spring, and should gain some valuable experience running against elite competition at a national meet.

"She's very excited and nervous," said Bulldogs' cross country coach Matt Brass. "It's a huge caliber race and will give her some exposure to a high level of competition."

Brass and his wife Angie will accompany Bartlett to New York, along with Bartlett's mom. Brass said Taylor recognized her talent and potential at the Border War meet last fall.

"He said 'I'm not expecting her to win, but she'll walk away with some valuable experience,'" said Brass.

Bartlett has been training hard the past six weeks, including running indoors at Eastern Washington University, where she was able to practice on a 200 meter track akin to what she'll race on in New York. Brass said she hopes to finish in the 18-minute range, noting one girl at the meet has already run a sub-17 minute 5,000 meters.