Bright future in store for SHS track team
SANDPOINT — Ten Bulldogs scored points at the state track and field meet last weekend, and seven of those are underclassmen who will return to anchor an emerging team next season.
Junior Nikole Alamillo defended her 4A state title in the discus and took second in the shot put, affirming her status as one of the best throwers in the state. Despite taking only six athletes to state, the Bulldog girls placed fifth overall as a team thanks to a bunch of high finishes.
Junior Sam Levora finished second in the 3,200 and 1,600, running two bold races against Pocatello sophomore Elijah Armstrong, whose times were better than any 5A mark in both races.
“I’ve rarely been as proud of Sam as I was at state this year. After finishing second in the 3,200 to one of the best runners in the country, Sam thought about how he wanted to run the 1,600 and decided he wanted to take it right at Armstrong,” said distance coach Matt Brass, noting Levora clocked a blistering 2:05 in the first 800 meters to set the pace. “He showed a boldness and toughness that makes him the high caliber of runner he is. Armstrong broke away in the last 300 to win, and after the race thanked Sam for pushing him so hard. It was an excellent end to an excellent season.”
Sophomore Mikhaela Woodward posted two huge personal bests to claim second in the 3,200 and 1,600, narrowly missing state titles in both by a few seconds. She’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
“Mikhaela had a great cross country season, followed up with a fabulous track season, ending her sophomore year amongst the top distance runners in the state,” said distance coach Angie Brass. “Her improvement over the year is impressive. She is a dedicated, hard worker with an intellect and passion for running.”
Senior Tim Prummer set a personal best 50.14 to finish second in the 400, less than half a second off the SHS school record. Matt Brass said his transformation over four years was outstanding, nearly culminating with a state title.
“He represents what we tell the kids we coach, that success is work over time,” said Brass. “His last two years of high school he matured and made an amazing commitment. He competed with calm and poise this season, and we knew before state this year that he would be one of the fasted to the line.”
Also scoring points at state were junior Lily DeAragon, who set a new personal best 59.13 in the 400 to finish third while also finishing fifth in the 200, senior Maddie Suppiger (5th high jump), junior Grant Kennaly (personal best 12-6 to finish fifth in the pole vault as well as fifth in the high jump), junior Matthew Burgstahler (personal best 1:58.89 to finish sixth in the 800 and miss the SHS record by .6 seconds), senior Todd Pays (personal best 46-0 to finish sixth in the shot put) and junior Nathan Schwartz (personal best 15.8 to finish seventh in the 110 hurdles).