Five Bulldogs earn district cross country honors
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint senior Sam Levora added to his decorated high school running career by being voted Runner of the Year on the All-District 1 cross country team, leading a contingent of five Bulldog runners to make the team, which was voted on by all of the coaches in North Idaho.
Levora finished second at state for the second year in a row, capping a season that saw his win numerous races and establish himself as the top distance runner in North Idaho.
Junior Mikhaela Woodward (6th at state), freshman Rainey Woodward (8th at state), sophomore Corrine McClelland and senior Sydney Foster were each named to the Dirty Dozen on the girls team. The foursome played a huge role in leading the Bulldogs to their second cross country team state championship, and the three underclassmen figure to return to help defend the title next year.
Unlike the other league teams, which are separated by 4A and 5A rankings, the cross country team recognizes runners from every school in District 1.
Sandpoint coaches Matt and Angie Brass on what each runner did to earn a spot on the team:
n Mikhaela Woodward: Mikhaela has risen to become one of the top runners in the state and has shown impressive improvements each season. She is extremely dedicated, and combining that with her intellect and toughness she has led her team in every race for the past two years.
n Rainey Woodward: In her first season of cross country she has risen to be not only a top runner in North Idaho, but in the entire state. She is very competitive, a good teammate, and will be a key part of the team for the next three years.
n Sydney Foster: For the past four years Sydney has been a consistent top end contributor for her team. She has medaled all four years at regionals, is a team captain, and has led her team by hard work and example.
n Corrine McClelland: In her second season Cori continued to show great improvement, becoming a very solid and consistent scoring member and regional medalist. Over the last year her competitive fire has ignited, and she was a key to both the regional and state championships this season.
n Sam Levora: Sam has improved so much over his four cross country seasons. He got faster by nearly two minutes, won three regional titles and three state medals (5th, 2nd and 2nd) along the way. He earned the school record in both the three mile and the 5K. His success is the result of very hard work and dedication.
DISTRICT 1 RUNNERS OF THE YEAR
BOYS
Runner of the Year — Sam Levora, sr., Sandpoint
DIRTY DOZEN — David Conway, sr., Coeur d’Alene, Riley Estes, jr., Coeur d’Alene, Maxwell Evans, so., Lake City, Jake Finney, jr., Lake City, Kyler Little, jr., Lake City, Lance Fredericks, so., Coeur d’Alene Charter, Leif Fredericks, sr., Coeur d’Alene Charter, Andrew Magee, jr., Coeur d’Alene, Brayden Menti, fr., Timberlake, Jacob Perkins, jr., Bonners Ferry, Sam St. Mars, sr., Timberlake, Jose Winton, so., Coeur d’Alene.
GIRLS
Runner of the Year — Emily Callahan, so., Coeur d’Alene
DIRTY DOZEN — Noelle Ball, sr., Coeur d’Alene, Josie Brown, jr., Coeur d’Alene, Cailtin Conway, fr., Coeur d’Alene, Sydney Foster, sr., Sandpoint, Natalie Herring, jr., Timberlake, Taylor Hammond, fr., Timberlake, Corrine McClelland, so., Sandpoint, Jaycee Rade, sr., Coeur d’Alene, Kara Story, jr., Coeur d’Alene, Krista Story, jr., Coeur d’Alene, Mikhaela Woodward, jr., Sandpoint, Rainey Woodword, fr., Sandpoint.