Wampus Cats open season today at Bonners Ferry Invite
<p>Desi Westphal works on her relay starts out of the blocks during a sunny afternoon this week at the Clark Fork track. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
SANDPOINT — A talented sophomore distance runner with state podium aspirations will help lead a young Clark Fork track team this spring.
Megan Frazier ran a personal best 13:03 in the 3,200 at state as a freshman, good enough for 8th place in the 1A ranks. With a solid season of cross country under her belt, she’s hoping to lower her time to around 12:30 at state the second time around.
“I’m hoping for a top five finish,” she said, admitting the final laps can be grueling in high school track’s longest race. “Laps five and six are the toughest, because at seven you know you’re almost done.”
Brandan Bowen is also looking to make some noise at state in the 300 hurdles, as the sophomore has already clocked 47 seconds this year, improving upon last year’s top time of 51 seconds.
“He’s a hard worker, very dedicated,” said Wampus Cat head coach Frank Hammersley. “He takes what you tell him to heart and really works it.”
Sophomore Oda Kinney, who does sprints and jumps, and junior Brandon Brooks, who does the pole vault and 100 meters, will pace the boys runners.
Sophomore Alecia Heigis and Desi Westphal will both run relays, while Danielle Lowry will throw the shot and discus for the Wampus Cat girls.
Nic Franck and Jon Regalia hope to push each other enough to contend at districts this season in the shot and discus, part of a team that figures to improve throughout the year.
“We’ve got some young kids,” said Hammersley, who said it’s always tough to tell with youth. “We’ll see what they can do.”
Clark Fork opens the season today at the Bonners Ferry Invitational.