School records under fire from Bulldog track and field team in 2017

SANDPOINT — It’s both quality and quantity for the Sandpoint track and field team in 2017, as a deep and experienced group figures to challenge for a handful of school records this season.

A total of 110 athletes turned out for the season, and despite snow and rain casting a dampener both literally and figuratively early in the season, Bulldog head coach Matt Brass likes what he sees in his charges.

Per usual, their goal is to win both boys and girls titles at Regionals, and qualify as many as possible to state.

“The overall attitude of the team is great. Being stuck in the gym for a month will try anyone out,” admitted Brass. “Once they get outside, they’ll be ready to go.”

Leading a strong group of underclassmen girls sprinters are juniors Jaelyn Martin and Claire Keener, and speedy sophomores Jazmin Stockton and Valerie Wickboldt. The group figures to team up for a couple of strong relays, looking to improve upon a fourth place finish at state last year, while

Martin also does the hurdles.

Sprints coach Tom Keener feels that when combined with some of the strong distance runners, the sprinters can challenge three SHS school relay records.

Stockton posted an impressive fifth place finish in the 100 at the 15-team Lewiston meet to open the season recently, a great sign moving forward.

“She’s tall and strong, and has an excellent stride,” said Keener. “She’s come light years from last year.”

The Bulldog boys have six fast sprinters to compete in the 100, 200 and relays, with everybody pushing each other for the top spots.

Between seniors Erik Suhr and Spencer Bassett, juniors Robbie Johnson, Ammon Ollerton and Julian Barajas, and sophomore Tyren Witthaus, the Bulldogs should be able to field some solid relays.

Unfortunately, junior T.J. Davis will not have a chance to improve upon his strong state finish last year, after injuring his ankle in the final basketball game of the season.

“There’s a lot of depth on the boys side. They’re all about the same speed,” described Keener. “We might be able to do some damage at districts.”

The distance runners will be led by junior Hannah Davidson, set a PR and SHS school record of 2:18.2 to finish second in state in the 800 last year. The girl who beat her returns, so the two could face off again if all goes well this season.

“She’s excited, and coming into the season strong,” claimed distance coach Angie Brass, who feels Davidson will be right in the mix for a title again. “She’s got another year of experience and confidence.”

Brass also expects junior Katherine Kaul to be a state podium contender in the 3,200, coming off a great fall season in cross country. Other strong girls distance runners to watch include senior Dana Beaty, who will run the 200, 400 and a 4X400 relay, sophomore Yeo Yarnell in the 800, and sophomore Niah Brass, junior Kali Scheel and freshman Heather Wallace in the 1,600 and 3,200.

Leading the boys distance runners will be junior Finan Lund-Andersen, who finished sixth at state last year in the 1,600 and also runs the 3,200, sophomore Ephriam Weisz in both distance races, junior Peik Lund-Andersen in the 800 and 1,600, and junior Cole Dillon and senior Clay Rasmussen in the 3,200.

Senior Spencer Bassett eclipsed 40 feet in the triple jump and went 19-4 in the long jump in the opener at Lewiston, solid marks considering it was the first time he’s seen a pit all season.

If all goes well, Bassett could challenge Danny Fournier’s school record with a leap of 43-8 from 1980. Jumping coach Dave DeMers calls Bassett very intelligent and easy to coach, and feels he’s primed to make some noise.

“I was very pleased with his distances for not even being out. I see him beating the school record in the triple jump,” predicted DeMers. “If he gets in the 42s at state, he’ll place.”

Other boys jumpers include Ollerton and Payton Finney.

Freshman Maddie Morgan had a strong varsity debut, finishing third in the long jump among 15 teams in Lewiston in her first real jumps of the season. She’ll be joined by junior Sharon Rowe and senior Gradce Hadley.

Junior high jumpers Ollerton and Sawyer Seley both cleared 5-10 in the first meet, and with steady improvement could be in the mix to go to state. For the girls, sophomore Elaine Huang and junior Saydee Brass will both look to close in on the five foot mark.

Senior Cole Hooper returns with state experience in the pole vault, clearing a personal best 13-0 last season. Hooper has set his sights high this season, and hopes to contend for a spot on the state podium.

“He wants to break the school record of 14-9,” said pole vault coach Rod Dosher of the record set by Chris Love in 2000. “That’s his goal, and you never know when something clicks.”

Senior Slade Rucker cleared 11-6 last year, and has already equaled that in the first meet of the season, a strong sign moving forward. Junior Sam Diercks cleared 10-6 in the first meet, so he could be primed to make a run at a state berth as well.

Davidson, who does the pole vault when she’s not running, cleared 8-6 last season, and will lead a group of girls that include her freshman sister Paige Davidson and junior Lily Waldrup.

Leading the throwers will be senior Zack Alamillo, who qualified for state last year in the discus and missed in the shot put by just three inches. After a stellar season as a defensive lineman and wrestler, the three sport athlete is hoping to improve on his top marks of 138 in the discus and 46-0 in the shot.

“Hopefully he’ll be able to get to state in the shot and discus,” said Lyon. “Get speed at the end of the throw. Get all of the power in there.”

Other boys throwers to watch include senior Geoff Collins and Jared Mitton. The top girls throwers are sophomores Tori Aylward and Lilly Anderson.

The Bulldogs are in Lewiston on Saturday.