Bulldog girls track team eyeing state trophy

SANDPOINT — Led by hungry seniors and wealth of young talent, the Sandpoint track team is eager to put the slow indoor start to the season in the rear-view mirror and go about moving forward to their goal of winning regional titles and getting as many runners as possible to state.

Bulldogs head coach Dave DeMers believes his girls team has a great chance to win a regional title, after falling just one point short in 2010 during a surprisingly strong showing when it counted most.

Leading the way will be senior Melinda Van Dyk, who recently signed to run track at Northern Colorado University next season. She will team with senior relay specialist Blake Plaster, Emma Carter and Lily DeAragon in the 4X100 relay, and will be among the top sprinters and hurdlers in the state.

“I think she can be in the top three in the 100 and 100 hurdles,” said head coach Dave DeMers. “I expect her to provide the leadership of a four year letterman.”

Senior Molly Burgstahler will also make a run at a state place in both the 3,200 and 1,600, and started the season strong by shaving 13 seconds off her personal best in the first meet of the season.

Maddie Suppiger should contend for a regional title in the high jump, as DeMers is hoping for her to consistently clear five feet, Jennie Meulenberg will do the hurdles and long jump, freshman Nikole Alamillo has shown great potential in the shot and discus, and Breanna Jones and Cymbre Martin give the Bulldog girls strength in the middle distances.

“Our girls are going to be nails. I think we have the team to win regionals,” said DeMers of his girls. “We’ll take as many girls as we can to state and try to make the top four.”

Leading the boys team will be seniors Danny Pfeifer and Brandon Hawkins. Pfeifer was 7th at state in the 3,200 last year, and opened the season with a solid win at the West Valley Invite. 

Hawkins will run the 800 and will try the triple jump for the first time.

“He provides team leadership with his presence at workouts. He leads by example,” said DeMers, noting Hawkins will work with jumps coach Eric DeMers in the new field event. “It should be fun to have a kid with that strength and willingness to learn.”

Senior Jimmy Mathews will run the 3,200 and 1,600, sophomore Chris Turnbull will run the 100, 200 and relays, and freshman Mathew Burgstahler will do the high jump, hurdles and 400 as many of Bulldog boys will be counted on to do four events.

“We’ve got a lot of new names and a lot of young kids,” said DeMers of his boys team. “I think they can surprise some people. They have a great work ethic, showing up and wanting to be here.”

The Bulldogs are at the Christina Finney Invite in Post Falls today, before heading north for the Bonners Ferry Invite on Saturday.