A Decade of Champions: Bulldogs lickety split in '03

SANDPOINT — Fast and powerful was the Sandpoint boys track team in aught-three.

Need proof?

At the 4A state track meet in Boise, the boys 4X100 and 4X200 relay teams not only grabbed the top spot on the podium, but set new state records in each event.

Not to be outdone, the Bulldogs’ powerful contingent of shot putters decided one podium spot was insufficient, claiming the top three spots in a dominating state showing.

With a host of other solid finishes by a deep and talented team, the Bulldogs tallied 98 points, a comfortable 26 point cushion over second place Kuna.

n 2003 Sandpoint boys track team

STATE TRACK ROSTER: David Lissy, Troy Watson, Tanner Aunan, Nick Albertson, Dwayne Byers, Jeremiah Beaudin, Eric DeMers, Dustin Hoagland, Steve Wold, Lee France, Blake Mahler, Brad Lang, Isao Puailoa, Doug Gunter, Tanner Roach, Cody Kritzeck, Sean Lissy, Dan Parrish and head coach Dave DeMers.

Senior David Lissy set out with a goal of not just defending the shot put state title he won as a junior, but eclipsing Norm Gissel’s school record, which had stood since 1955. He achieved both goals and more, putting the shot 55-3 to win state, no doubt riding some adrenaline from a surprising win earlier in the discus (158-5).

“I was still pretty high from the discus and I think it helped me in the shot,” he said after the double win. “I had the adrenaline going.”

Helping sweep the top three spots in the podium were teammates Tanner Aunan (2nd) and Troy Watson (3rd), as throwing coach Tom Albertson had some serious horsepower to work with.

With one month left before state, head coach Dave DeMers made a prescient comment to the Bee.

“I think this team can be a state contender, both boys and girls,” DeMers said. “We’re right where we want to be. We’re one of the better teams in the state of Idaho.”

Part of that confidence stemmed from four fast football players — Brad Lang, Isao Puailoa, Tanner Roach and Doug Gunter — forming the sprinting backbone of some strong relays. The foursome teamed up to set school and state records in both the 4X100 and 4X200 relays. Lang also finished 3rd in the 100 and 6th in the 200 in a strong showing.

Quote of the Year: “We have a lot of young men who have stepped up and worked their tails off,” said DeMers prior to the state meet. “Now it’s payday and we want to cash that big check.”

n 2003 Sandpoint cross country team

While they may not have won a championship on the actual race course, this team excelled in an equally important realm, winning the academic state championship with a robust 3.7 team GPA.

See next Tuesday’s Daily Bee for a look at the boys and girls soccer teams, which claimed the only two state titles in 2004.