Balanced Bulldog track team primed for success

SANDPOINT — Led by a pair of junior standouts, one the reigning state champion in the discus and the other one of the top distance runners in the state, the Sandpoint track team has no discernible weakness and looks primed for a solid season.

Nikole Alamillo won a 4A state title last year as a sophomore with a throw of 131-4 in the discus, a mark she hopes to improve on as a junior.

“I think she will throw a lot further than she did last year,” said longtime Bulldog track head coach Dave Demers. “She has technique and strength and is quick in the hips.”

Sam Levora set the Sandpoint school record in the 3,200 last year at state, clocking a 9:39 to finish third overall. He also finished third in the 1,600 as a sophomore, and will be looking to break distance coach Matt Brass’s school record of 4:25 in the mile this season. Junior Matthew Burgstahler will run the 800 and possibly anchor a relay or two, adding another distance threat.

“Sam is one of the premier runners in the 1,600 and 3,200, I really believe he’ll be in the top three again. He’s a tough guy,” said Demers, also lauding the hard work of Burgstahler. “There are no excuses, he just goes at it. He’s a pleasure to have.”

The Bulldog boys will feature a host of solid sprinters in junior Chase Rodriguez and seniors Chris Turnbull, Alex Charvoz and Bill Harrington. Turnbull returns with plenty of varsity experience, and Rodriguez, who played baseball last spring, could be a surprise in the sprints and jumps.

“He’s big, strong and fast,” said Demers of the lengthy Rodriguez. “You see a guy 6-5 running down the track and he definitely has an advantage on the shorter guys.”

Senior Todd Pays, who finished eighth at state in the discus last year, will be the top thrower for the Bulldog boys.

Demers is excited about the potential of the boys team, and especially freshman Wyatt Cox, who will run the hurdles and relays.

“Wyatt is going to surprise some people. You can put him anywhere, he’s very strong and loves to work,” said Demers. “The boys would like to vie for a regional championship, maybe take 13-15 kids to state. I think we can do that.”

Seniors Maddie Suppiger and Jennie Meulenberg will help lead a strong girls team. Suppiger was sixth at state last year in the 100 hurdles and seventh in the high jump, while Meulenberg will do the long jump, triple jump and the 100 hurdles.

Both bring confidence and experience to the table, and will look to make a podium or two at state.

“They’re a lot faster, stronger and more mature,” said Demers of the duo, noting the lack of spring snow will help their marks down the road. “The weather really does help, to get out there doing things early.”

Junior Lily DeAragon, who was seventh at state in the 400 last year, senior Mary Aylward and freshman Madi Schoening will lead the Bulldog girls in the sprints and relays, while junior Cassie Young and senior Megan McCoy will team with Alamillo to lead arguably the strongest group of throwers in North Idaho.

Mikhaela Woodward and Sydney Foster will each run the 3,200 and 1,600 to lead the girls distance runners, as both put in hundreds of miles over the winter. Demers believes the girls team has a great chance to defend their regional title.

More than 80 athletes turned out for the track team this season, one of the best numbers in years, with many competing at the insistence of the SHS football coaches.

“These kids seem like they want to be here,” said Demers. “It’s fun to have the support of the football coaches. That will carry into football next year.”

The Bulldogs are at the West Valley Invite on Saturday.