Sprinters, pole vaulters to lead Wampus Cats track team
<p>Pictured from left to right are Clark Fork pole vaulters Max Icardo, Hope Kinney, Alexa Fitzpatrick, Brennan Brooks and Brendan Bowen, who will be in action today starting at 4 p.m. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
CLARK FORK — More than 30 athletes turned out to compete for the Clark Fork track team in 2014, a stellar number for a 1A school.
Among them are a host of strong pole vaulters and sprinters, each eager to earn a berth to state.
Leading the way will be senior Brennan Brooks and junior Brendan Bowen, who have lofty goals this season. Bowen is hoping to clear 12 feet this year, while Brooks, who has cleared 13 feet plus in the past, is aiming a little higher.
“I’m hoping to clear 15 feet, that’s my goal,” says Brooks. “It’s about repetition, technique and fundamentals.”
Bowen will also do the 300 intermediate hurdles, the high jump and a relay, hoping the hamstring he pulled early in the season heals soon. Wampus Cats head coach Frank Hammersley believes Bowen and Brooks have a really good shot at reaching state in multiple events.
“I think they’ll pull each other into it (state),” believes Hammersley, lauding the pole vault skills of Brooks. “He’s really good at it.”
Senior Jon Regalia will lead the Wampus Cats in the shot put and discus, hoping his senior year is the charm for finally punching his ticket to state. Sophomore Tyler Hammack (3,200, 1,600), freshman Max Icardo (relays), and junior Geoff Boudousquie (relays) and freshman Hunter Boudousquie (relays) will provide depth on the boys side.
Leading the girls team will be senior Alexa Fitzpatrick, who went to state last year and will do the sprints, pole vault and a relay, and junior Alicia Heigis, who will do the long jump and sprints.
Hammersley calls freshman Emily Garman, who will do hurdles, relays and the long jump, a promising athlete, and likes the versatility of senior Rebecca Dohmen, who could join Garman, Fitzpatrick and Heigis on a strong 4x100 relay team.
Senior Danielle Lowry will do the discus and shot, one of a small handful of seniors leading a mostly young team.
“We have the makings of a real good track team,” says Hammersley. “They spend a lot of time working with each other.”
Hammersley is also pleased with the help of assistant coach Nellie Lutz,
The Wampus Cats host a five team North Star League meet today, starting at 4 p.m.