Bulldog cross country teams sweep districts
<p>Sandpoint junior Mikhaela Woodward, pictured earlier in the season, finished second to lead the Bulldog girls on Thursday. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
MOSCOW — Senior Sam Levora clocked a 17:44 to win the boys race, and junior Mikhaela Woodward a 22:14 to finish second in the girls race, leading the Bulldogs to a sweep at the 4A Region 1 cross country championships on Thursday at Phillips Farm in Moscow.
The wins were extra special after the Bulldog boys finished third and the girls second last year, and the runners used the experience as fuel for this season.
“It was something they worked very hard for, the culmination of thousands of miles,” said Brass of the team titles. “It’s exciting to have both regional championships teams. It was a tough course, with a 1,200 foot climb in the middle and hills all over.”
Levora bounced back strong after having trouble in his previous race, finishing 17 seconds faster than the 5A winner in a strong showing. Sam Powell, Alan Orr and Chris Cordova notched top 10 finishes, as the boys team scored 29 points to win by nine.
Mikhaela and Rainey Woodward, Sydney Foster and Corinne McClelland notched top 10 finishes for the Bulldog girls, whose 29 points edged Moscow by two.
Brass was pleased to announce that the Bulldog JV boys also won, a special feat as the race combined 5A and 4A schools. Mark Kennaly was second and Andy McGinness third to lead the boys team, while Jacey Lawson was sixth and Karlee Williams ninth to lead the JV girls to a second place finish.
The 4A state cross country meet is Nov. 2 in Idaho Falls.
BOYS TEAM SCORES (Winner to state) — 1, Sandpoint 29. 2, Moscow 38. 3, Lakeland 61.
QUALIFIERS — 1, Sam Levora, Sandpoint, 17:44. 2, Jerry Cook, Moscow, 18:14. 3, Sam Powell, Sandpoint, 19:32. 4, Cooper Haney, Lakeland, 19:41. 5, Josh Corgatelli, Moscow, 19:49. 6, Alan Orr, Sandpoint, 20:09. 7, Mohammad Monsour, Moscow, 20:11. Other Sandpoint finishers: 9, Chris Cordova, 20:27. 10, Jacob Graham, 20:34. 12, Matthew Cloud, 20:37. 14, Adam Bourn, 21:40.
GIRLS TEAM SCORES (Winner to state) — 1, Sandpoint 29. 2, Moscow 31. 3, Lakeland 77.
QUALIFIERS — 1, Katherine Ruck, Moscow, 21:40. 2, Mikhaela Woodward, Sandpoint, 22:14. 3, Rachel Bayly, Moscow, 23:09. 4, Rainey Woodward, Sandpoint, 23:29. 6, Corinne McClelland, Sandpoint, 23:56. 7, Delany Gorton, Lakeland, 24:04. Other Sandpoint girls: 12, Claire Pierce, 25:27. 14, Bree Jones, 25:42. 15, Lauren Orr, 26:25.