Depth and stellar weather have SHS aiming high

SANDPOINT — Led by a hard working group of distance runners and featuring one of the strongest freshman classes in years, the Sandpoint track team will be shooting for a regional title on both the boys and girls teams.

Leading the boys team will be a trio of strong distance runners in Danny Pfeifer, David Marienau and Brandon Hawkins, each of whom returns with state experience. Pfeifer will run the 3,200 and provide some leadership, Marienau will run the 1,600 and Hawkins the 800 and 400. All three prefer to lead by example, especially Hawkins.

“He’s just a hard worker,” said head coach Dave DeMers of Hawkins. “He brings his lunch pail and always shows up like he’s coming to work.”

Speed was the first word that DeMers mentioned when talking about sophomore Anthony Gold, who will run the 100 and 4X100 relay, and will also do the long jump. He’ll team with senior Cody Hecker, who will also do the long jump and maybe some hurdles, and senior high jumper Mike Hubbard on many of the relays.

Freedom Watson, one of the top throwers in North Idaho, will contend for state titles in both the shot put and discus. Dillon Gingerich has already neared 40 feet in the triple jump in his first year of track as a senior, and freshman Chris Turnbull clocked a sizzling 11.22 in the 100 meters to win a recent JV meet.

“I feel we have the crew on the boys side to push for a district title,” said DeMers. “The kids just have to make the commitment.”

Leading the 40-member girls team will be distance runners Molly Burgstahler (3,200), Becca Cloud (1,600) and Hope Woodruff (800), and pole vaulter Susan Kovalchuk, who DeMers thinks might have a solid season.

“I expect her to be a regional champion. She works hard and is very coachable,” said DeMers, noting a great freshman girls class has hopes running high. “The coaches will be disappointed if we don’t win a regional title. There’s a lot of talent on the girls side.”

Freshmen Maddie Suppiger (high jump and hurdles) and Jenny Meulenberg, who triple jumped 31-7 to win a recent JV meet, will each be counted on for varsity points.

DeMers also had high praise for his assistant coaches, which for the first time includes his son Eric DeMers, who recently shined in the decathlon at Boise State. With 79 kids out, and almost unheard of spring weather, it’s shaping up for a nice season.

“With numbers you can do a lot of things,” explained DeMers, who hopes to take advantage of the vintage weather. “It’s the best spring ever, and I’ve been doing this for 25 years.”

Sandpoint is at the West Valley Invite on Saturday.