Bulldog boys cross country team claims first state trophy since 1994
<p>Pictured back row, from left to right: Matt Brass, Angie Brass, Clay Rasumussen, Kenny Kovalchuk, Matt Cloud, Chris Cordova, Reilly Wolfe and volunteer assistant Tim Prummer. Front row: Jacob Graham, Mark Kennaly, Sam Powell, Andy McGinnis and Finan Lund-Andersen. (Courtesy photo)</p>
SANDPOINT — Personifying the team aspect of cross country, the Sandpoint boys team finished third at the 4A state championships, their first top four team finish since 1994.
Jacob Graham clocked a 16:58 to place 16th, and Sam Powell a 17:03 and 18th to medal for the Bulldogs. Kenneth Kovalchuk (26th), Matthew Cloud (34th), Andy McGinness (45th) and Mark Kennaly (67th) rounded out the pack, which was tight-knit all season.
“The boys team ran like they have all season long, together. They finished less than 40 seconds apart for the one through five scorers and achieved the goal they set for themselves last November after state,” said Bulldogs head coach Matt Brass. “This group has pushed itself to their limits all year, always wanting more and having the optimism to believe more was possible.”
Brass on each runner’s performance:
• Jacob Graham — “Jacob had an excellent season, leading the boys in the last four races of the year. He earned all state medalist with his 16th place finish, breaking 17 minutes in the process and set a hard pace in the middle of the race to pull his teammates along. He is only a Junior and will be looked upon to help lead the team again next year.”
• Sam Powell — “Sam bounced back from a tough regional race and worked with Jacob at the front of the pack at state. The two of them pushed the pack hard and it helped Sam to earn all state medalist honors as well with his 18th place finish. He is a senior and one of our team captains. His vision and leadership is one of the reasons the boys got on top of the podium.”
• Kenny Kovalchuk — “Kenny has only been running distance for two seasons. He improved nearly three minutes from last season to this one, and earned a captain spot with his leadership, competitiveness and optimism. Kenny stuck with Sam and Jacob for most of the race, and finished 28th with a 17:22. He was a driving force to push the team each week for better results.”
• Matt Cloud — “Matt ran an outstanding race at state, he was engaged and responsive the entire race, passing nearly 10 runners in the last half of the race and pulling teammates along with him.”
• Chris Cordova — “Chris has been moving up consistently the last few weeks, but last Thursday during PE he strained his hamstring. He was still within 30 seconds of his PR, and held the fifth spot line to score for the team.”
• Andy McGinnis — “Andy ran another great race, sticking with the pack until the two mile mark. His sixth position helped displace points on all but two teams. He has progressed consistently the past four years and was a major contributor to the boys all season.”
• Mark Kennaly — “Mark ran in his second state race, running an 18:19 and securing a solid top seven performance. He is only a Junior, and with two years of state running will help lead the boys next year.”