Garman, Young eying state for Wampus Cats
—Photo by ERIC PLUMMER Pictured front row, from left to right: Dustie Jackman, Danielle Cohick, Maria Trujillo, Ali Sutton, Hailey Bristol and Chase Sutton. Middle row: Drew Gilipin, Bryant Moore, Emily Garman and Nona Young. Back row: Joe Claudino, Hank Hsieh, Max Icardo, Noah Bova, Grant Depenthal, Dakota West and Eli Trego.
—Photo by ERIC PLUMMER Junior Nona Young hopes to make it to state this season in the shot put.
CLARK FORK — Led by junior hurdler Emily Garman, the lone Wampus Cat to qualify state last year, the Clark Fork track team will look to improve upon that number in 2016.
Garman, who could end up teaming up with junior Dustie Jackman, freshman Ali Sutton and Maria Trujillo to form some relays, was second in the both the 100 and 300 hurdles at the season-opening Bonners Ferry Invite last Saturday. She'll be looking to punch her ticket to state in both events.
“I hope she makes it back to state,” said first year head coach Brenda Haase, who takes over the program from Nellie Lutz-Wolfe.
Also looking to earn a berth at state is junior thrower Nona Young, who just missed a top spot at districts in the shot put.
“If she had thrown her PR at regionals, she would have made it to state,” said Haase. “She would really like to make it to state in the shot.”
Former Sandpoint throwing coach Laura Alamillo will be helping the Wampus Cat throwers, including senior Tyler Hammack and sophomore Bryant Moore, who do both the shot and discus.
Junior Max Icardo was also close to qualifying for state last year, and will compete in the high jump, long jump and possibly a relay with Moore, Chase Sutton and Dakota West. West is also a strong long jumper and high jumper.
Junior Grant Depenthal will lead the Cats in the 1,600 and 800, and brings a lot of passion to the track.
“He just likes to run,” described Haase. “He's really willing to push himself in the longer races.”
Haase is a first year coach, but has a track background, having run the 1,600 and 3,200 while a student at Sonoma Valley High School, the same school that Sandpoint resident Steve Youngdahl attended.
“His dad delivered my two oldest kids,” said Haase of Youngdahl.
The Wampus Cats host their annual home track meet on Tuesday, April 12, with all of the North Star League schools attending.