Levora shines at Pasco Invitational

PASCO, Wash. — Racing against an elite field of high school distance runners, Sandpoint junior Sam Levora more than held his own, breaking his own school record in the 3,200 and nearly breaking the record in the 1,600 on Saturday at the Pasco Invitational.

Levora clocked a 9:32 in the 3,200, lowering his school record by more than seven seconds to place 9th among 45 runners. He was the lone Bulldog competing in the largest single day meet in the  United States, featured more than 1,400 athletes, including many of the best in the Northwest.

“He was really looking forward to that level of competition,” said Bulldogs distance coach Matt Brass. “He wasn’t scared of it, it’s something he’s wanted for a while.”

Levora finished the 1,600 in 4:26.6, one second off of Brass’s school record, which was set in 1994. He finished the loaded race seventh out of 30 runners, and the time was only three seconds off the winning time at the Idaho 4A state meet last year. As good as the time was, Brass felt it could have been a few seconds lower, a great sign for the future.

“He got boxed in at the start,” described Brass. “He spent a good portion of the race passing people on the straightaways. I think it (the start) cost him the school record.”

Speaking of the 1,600 school record, Brass is fully aware that his record appears to be short-lived.

“It’s weeks away, and I’m thrilled,” said Brass, who also coaches Levora on the cross country team. “Records are there to drive other people.”