Handful of Bulldogs eager for state podium
SANDPOINT — First year Sandpoint track head coach Matt Brass's first goal this season was to get numbers up, and that was accomplished with more than 70 boys and 50 girls turning out.
Goal number two was to take many of the things he learned under longtime head coach Dave DeMers and take the program forward. With plenty of depth and talent in nearly every event, it could be a strong season for the Bulldog track team.
A strong girls team will be led by junior Rainey Woodward (400/800/1,600), who won state as a freshman in the 800 before missing last season with injury, sophomore Hannah Davidson (800/1,600), who was fifth at state last year, and senior Madi Schoening, who was fifth in the long jump at state. Along with sophomore Katherine Kaul (1,600/3,200), the distance events will be a strength for the girls team.
“Rainey has great speed,” said Brass of the junior, who had a strong cross country season. “She's put in a lot of work to get back and have a healthy, enjoyable season.”
Leading the sprinters will be sophomore Claire Keener (100/200), who will join seniors Paige DuMars (sprints/shot) and Schoening, junior Taylor Ward (sprints/shot/hurdles) and sophomore Shelby Flathers on some potential relays.
Keener has the potential to make some noise at the state level.
“She has a long, natural stride,” praised Brass of Keener. “A very fluid stride, not a lot of wasted efficiency.”
Senior Janice Aylward placed seventh in shot at state last year, with a personal best of 35-2, but she has a goal of hitting 40 feet this year. She'll be pushed hard by senior Paige DuMars and junior Taylor Ward.
Schoening could be primed for a big year in the long jump, possible making a run at both the school record and a spot on the state podium. Sadie Brass returns as the top girls high jumper, and will be looking to close in on clearing five feet.
A host of Bulldog boys return with state experience, led by senior Kaleb Merrill, who finished fifth at state in the long jump last season. DeMers, who is sticking around as the jumps/hurdles coach, thinks Merrill could hit 21 feet this season.
The all-senior returning 4X100 relay team of Merrill, Kyle Perry, Jackson Diercks and Colton Engel is primed for a big season, but must hit the handoffs at districts and state to make it happen.
“Their goal is to be a state medalist team,” said Brass. “To be on the top in the North.”
Senior Jacob Graham (3,200/1,600) was seventh in the 3,200 last year at state, with the podium slipping away in the final stretch last season in both distance races.
“In the last 200 meters, he lost by mili-seconds,” remembered Brass, who hopes this year is different. “Seeing him have that strong senior finish, make a run at a podium. He's running strong right now.”
Behind him is senior Mark Kennaly, who enters the season with high hopes in both the 400 and 800, looking to set school records in both. The combo is a rare double, based on the fact both events take place very close to each other at state, while he also does the high jump.
“He wants to beat Matt Burgstahler's 800 record,” said Brass of the 1:57.5 mark, calling the 800/400 double tough, but doable. “Mark has strength and speed. He's pretty much a decathlete.”
Sophomores Finnan and Peik Lund-Andersen area also strong at the middle to long distance races, giving the Bulldogs a strong distance crew.
Sophomores Sawyer Seley and T.J. Davis will do the high jump, with the 6-foot-5 Davis also doing the 100 and 300 hurdles.
Senior Lane Rasmussen and junior Slade Rucker return with state pole vault experience, while junior Cole Hooper and Rasmussen have already cleared 10-6 this season, and could make a run at 12 feet.
Senior Carlos Collado returns with state podium hopes in the shot put. Along with Nate Dillon, Travis Davis and Zach Alamillo, Collado gives throwing coach Sean Lyon some talent to work with.
“I could see Carlos jumping up a few feet,” said Lyon. “He's stronger and quicker.”