Sandpoint qualifies seven for state track tourney

LEWISTON — Brooke DeMers high jumped a season-best 5-feet, 3-inches as the Sandpoint girls track team had a successful first day at the 4A District meet in Lewiston, qualifying seven athletes to state. The Sandpoint girls team holds a commanding team lead over Moscow and Lakeland after day one, more than doubling their competitors.

Sophomores Megan Bartlett (12:13.03) and Kathleen Vardell (12:31.35) finished first and second respectively to qualify in the 3,200 meters. The top two finishers and winning relay teams advance to state, which is a favorable number with only three 4A teams competing.

Chanel Garcia won the triple jump with a personal best leap of 32-6, followed by Brittany Groenhout with a 31-1 as both qualified. Christina Johnson (discus) and Katie Adams (long jump) were the other two state qualifiers, both finishing in second place.

Will Andrews won the discus with a throw of 138-6, and Tyrell Nelson jumped 39-feet to take second place in the triple jump. They were the lone individual qualifiers from the boys team, which was a distant second behind Moscow after day one. Jimmy Byers threw a personal best 45-1 to take third in the shot put, and Bulldogs' coach Dave DeMers believes it may be good enough to get the sophomore an at-large berth to state.

The race of the day was turned in by Trevor Johnson, Tyler Jinright, Joshua Kopsa and David Householter, who won the 1,600 sprint medley with a time of 3:48.11. Householter had just finished running the 3,200 when he was asked to run the 800 meter anchor leg of the medley, somehow finding the drive to out-kick the Moscow runner down the home stretch.

"David said 'not on my time,'" said DeMers, noting Kopsa ran a 51-second split in the 400. "These kids just wanted it. It was the most exciting race of the day."

The meet continues today at Volmer Field in Lewiston, with the rest of the relays and running events. DeMers expects another strong showing from the girls team.

"They got a taste of success when they blew Lake City out at the Quad Meet," he said. "They know they can do it; they know how good they can be."