Kaul, Powell lead SHS cross country team

HAYDEN — Sandpoint freshman Katherine Kaul finished third among 40 runners, clocking a 19:34 and leading the Sandpoint girls to a third place team finish on Saturday at the Super 1 Invitational in Hayden.

Following Kaul was Mikhaela Woodward (6th), Rainey Woodward (12th), Sharon Rowe (13th), Claire Pierce 17th) and Corrine McClelland (25th) at a meet that featured just six teams, but some elite state runners.

Sam Powell (5th) led the Bulldog boys, with Kenny Kovalchuk (9th), Jacob Graham (10th), Andy McGinness (11th), Matthew Cloud (12th) and Mark Kennaly (15th) also notching strong finishes for the boys, who finished second to Coeur d’Alene.

The Bulldog girls placed second at this meet last year but ran much faster this year as a team. They were 19:34, 19:51, 20:19, 20:33, 21:19 (20:19 average) for the first five times this year. Last year they were 20:46, 21:30, 21:34, 22:14, 23:25 (21:53 average) and were the state champions.  

Early season state rankings just came out and the Bulldog girls are the solid No. 1 in 4A.  

“The strength of the girls team is what helped them get that position and result,” said coach Angie Brass. “We had three of our top five coming off of sickness, and other girls stepped up and helped pull the team to a great pack time and a great finish.”

The boys ran a very tight pack. They were 17:37, 17:54, 17:57, 18:04 and 18:09 (17:56 average) up front, and there were three JV runners who are seconds away from the last varsity member, making it very competitive. The early season rankings moved them from 12th to 6th now in 4A.

Sandpoint is at the Runner’s Soul meet on Saturday.