Bulldog track team kicks off state today
<p>The Sandpoint girls hope to contend for a state medal in four different relays. Pictured left to right are Kennedy Kindred, Lily DeAragon, Emma Weme, Mary Aylward, Cymbre Martin and Shayna Kluver. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
SANDPOINT — A handful of Sandpoint track and field athletes stand a realistic shot at bringing home medals from the Idaho State track and field championships, which start today in Boise.
Sophomore thrower Nikole Alamillo has the top discus seeding mark in the 4A ranks, and if all goes well, should be right in contention for a state title.
Sophomore distance runner Sam Levora’s seed times are right in the mix in both the 3,200 and 1,600, but he’ll have to conquer nerves and adrenaline of state, to say nothing of a 16 runner field, to vie for a medal.
“He’s a young kid who loves to run,” said Bulldogs head coach Dave DeMers of Levora. “He’s going to leave his mark in the Sandpoint history books.”
DeMers also thinks the 4x400 girls relay team of Emma Weme, Lily DeAragon, Shayna Kluver and Cymbre Martin could challenge for the school record at state.
All four of the girls relay teams are capable of scoring points.
“I think the relays are going to rock,” said DeMers, whose girls team dominated at regionals. “Our goal was to win regionals, now the icing on the cake is scoring points and getting medals.
Weme and DeAragon can each land a spot on the podium with a strong showing in the 400.
All told there are 17 Bulldogs competing at the two-day state track meet.
DeMers also believes senior Paul Hill could clear 13 feet in the pole vault, and Todd Pays could make some noise in the discus.
“They can’t be satisfied with just being there,” said DeMers. “They need to do something.”
The 3,200 and a few of the field events will be held tonight, with the rest of the field events and most of the running events on Saturday.