Denham, Palmer to lead Wampus Cats in '09

CLARK FORK — A handful of Clark Fork track athletes are gunning for a state berth in 2009, as the Wampus Cats look to overcome the loss of senior Bailey Hewitt, winner of four individual state championships last year, who is still recovering from a knee injury.

Leading the charge will be senior distance runner Adam Denham, who will run the 3,200, 1,600 and 800 meter runs. He returns with state experience and an extra hunger that only a senior knows.

“He’s been there twice,” said Cats coach Frank Hammersley. “His goal is to get back there.”

Senior Zach Anderson and Howard Katzenberg will be the top boys sprinters, Chaunce Nesbitt will do both the high and intermediate hurdles, and Cody Bowers and James Becker will do the discus and shot put to lead the boys team. Bowers threw the discus 124-0 in the first meet of the year.

Sophomre Zara Palmer will run the 110 high and 300 intermediate hurdles and Hammersley is counting on her to be one of the leaders in the absence of Hewitt.

“She really wants to qualify for state,” Hammersley said. “She missed by a hair last year and is really working hard; her technique is good.”

Junior Machenzie Quiroz will throw the shot and discus, and freshman Alysha McLelland will run the sprints and do the long jump for the girls team. McLelland has already clocked a 13.5 in the 100 in the first meet of the season.

The Cats have 19 kids out for track this season, and they’ve been steadily progressing after a slow start to the year.

“When we get ready for the North Star League, we’ll have something presentable,” said Hammersley.