Sandpoint cross country teams primed for state
SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint girls cross country team, with its sights set firmly on defending the 4A state title on Saturday, received some good news on Wednesday, as freshman Katherine Kaul was cleared by a doctor to return to the lineup.
Kaul, who missed the district meet with a foot injury, will join Mikhaela Woodward, Rainey Woodward, Sharon Rowe, Claire Pierce, Cori McClelland and Hannah Davidson on Saturday at the 4A state meet at Eagle Island State Park.
There was much excitement when the team found out Kaul could race. She kept in shape by running in a pool and riding a bike while her injured foot healed. The team was ranked first in the state after regionals without Kaul, and will no doubt be in the mix for another state title with her.
“With Kat in the race our pack is stronger. The team has depth, and is ready to have another great race,” said Bulldogs assistant coach Angie Brass. “If we race like we have been all season, the opportunity for a repeat is there.”
The Bulldog girls could potentially have four runners crack the top 20, with Kaul, both Woodwards and Rowe, and any of the four could lead the team on a given race. Pierce, McClelland and Davidson are not far behind, and the faster that trio finishes, the higher rival teams will score, which is crucial to win state.
Head coach Matt Brass expects his team to lean on the senior leadership of Mikhaela in her third and final trip to state.
“She’s a little more battle tested,” said Brass. “She’s still the one they look to as a leader.”
The boys team is looking to finally break through and claim the first boys team trophy since 1993. While not possessing any elite-level runners this year, their pack strength is enormous. Sam Powell, Kenny Kovalchuk and Jacob Graham have each led their team in a race this season, while Chris Cordova emerged late in the season to place second at districts behind Graham.
Matthew Cloud, Andy McGinness and Mark Kennaly round out a varsity squad that pushes each other in the middle of the pack, as all of the team’s personal best times are within 30 seconds of each other.
“They’re all very close, tight-knit and they run together,” said Matt Brass. “If they can keep it close and the front leaders push the pace, we have a shot at bringing home a state trophy.”
To earn a trophy means a top four team finish. To earn a top four team finish, at least two or three runners are going to need to have great races and possibly crack the top 20 individually.
“Sam usually goes out and takes the lead, then Jacob takes over at a mile,” said Brass of the strategy. “Those are the two the team looks to to push the pace.”
The 4A state girls race is at 1:30, with the 4A boys race to follow at 2:30 at Eagle Island State Park near Boise.