Frazier leads Clark Fork cross country team

CLARK FORK — For the fourth straight year, 1A Clark Fork will field a cross country team, as head coach Megan Olson continues to try and build up the program.

Leading a team of just five runners will be junior Megan Frazier, who has made it to state individually in both of her first two seasons. Last year she clocked a 22:21 at the 1A/2A state meet, good enough for 51st place among 113 runners.

“Megan is a consistent and naturally talented distance runner,” says Olson, who thinks a time around 20 minutes is attainable for Frazier. “I’m hoping to tap into that competitive edge, get her to dig a little deeper.”

Leading the boys team will be former football players Nyk Jones, Geoff Boudousquie and Jacob Edstrom. All have athletic ability and talent and will have a chance to drop time this year.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Nyk makes it to state,” says Olson, who is proud the results a small program has achieved. “We’ve never had a year where someone didn’t make it to state, even though we only have a couple of kids.”

Veronica Dake rounds out the small team. There are also a few junior high kids running cross country for the self-funded team.

The team plans to attend Sandpoint’s home meet at Riley Creek, as well as meets at Silverwood, Hayden Canyon and Spokane.

The terrain around Clark Fork is perfect training ground for cross country.

“In Clark Fork, you can’t go very far without hitting a hill,” says Olson, noting some of the regional courses feature elevation gains and drops. “And we have access to great hikes.”

See Saturday’s Daily Bee for the 2013 Fall Sports Preview, highlighting the local teams.