SHS track team aiming high in '09

SANDPOINT — In a sport based entirely on numbers, Sandpoint track coach Dave DeMers belives sometimes they can lie, pointing to years when he had a huge turnout of athletes but never seemed to get much done.

While the 2009 boys and girls teams each boast 30 athletes, small in comparison to many years, DeMers believes it’s a group that will work hard and continue to improve, eventually sneaking up on some people late in the year.

Leading the boys team will be sophomore thrower Walker Watson, who has already eclipsed the 50 foot mark in the shot put this season. DeMers believes Watson has a chance to be special in both the discus and shot, eventually challenging David Lissy’s school record of 55-3 in the shot.

“If he continues to improve, he could be pushing 60 feet, he’s got that type of potential,” says DeMers of Watson. “The strength is there, right now it’s just technique, settling down.”

Junior Ray Lee, named a team captain, sets the tone for the Bulldogs with a stellar work ethic. He set a personal best in the 300 hurdles in the first meet of the season, and hopes to make a run at a state title.

Senior Josh Kopsa will lead the boys team in the sprints, running everything from the 100 to the 800 meters. Cody Hecker and Stefan Buratto will specialize in jumps and relays, Zach Kuhl and Corey Hoffman in the high jumps, and runners Brandon Hawkins, Kevin Pfiefer, Matt Sisson and David Marienau will provide depth on the boys team.

More than half of the girls team is made up of freshman and sophomores, who will be led by seniors Adrianna Bucholtz, Kelly Adams and Kat and Vicky Vardell. Bucholtz is team captain and a four-year letterman in the discus and shot, the Vardells are distance specialists and Adams will focus on the high jump.

“I’m looking at her to go 5-2 this year,” says DeMers of Adams, who steps in to fill the shoes of former Bulldog Brooke DeMers, who is now high jumping at Boise State.

Junior Christina Johnson returns in the discus, an event she’s qualified for state at in her first two years. Sophomore Melinda Van Dyk will lead the girls in the sprints and junior Susan Kovalchuk, who has already cleared 8-6 this season, will be the top pole vaulter.