Garman, Icardo, Young lead Wampus Cats in 2017
(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) Clark Fork three-sport senior Emily Garman is looking to end her high school career on a high note by punching her ticket to state once again in both the 100 and 300 hurdles.
(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) Pictured front row, from left to right: Nona Young, Hunter Boudousquie, Emily Garman, Max Icardo and Aaron Heigis. Second row: Kobi Dooley, Charlie Abbott, Garth Schaefer and Joey Kuhn. Third row: Josh Constantin and Michael Myer. Top row: Ellie Kiebert, Ali Sutton and Sara Hathaway.
CLARK FORK — Clark Fork had two athletes make it to the state track meet last season, and if all goes well, Wampus Cats head coach Brenda Haase hopes to double that number and then some during the 2017 season.
Leading the way is senior Emily Garman, who twice won all four events she entered in North Star League meets last season. She punched her ticket to state in both the 100 and 300 hurdles, and will look to not just return in those races, but possibly the 100 meters as well.
“She hopes to make it again,” said Haase of Garman’s goals this season. “She needs to get her steps down between hurdles. She switched and took away a step at the end of the season.”
Senior Nona Young would love nothing more than to join her Garman on a bus to state, having missed out by just one place last year in the shot put at districts.
Her personal best is 29-9, and she’s hoping to push that number up to 32-0 this year, as well as setting a goal of 90 feet in the discus. The fact that the top thrower in the league last year is gone, and with former Sandpoint state champion and coach Laura Alamillo helping out, Young has her sights set on a shot put berth at state. Haase lauded Young’s leadership on the young team.
“She’s working very hard,” said Haase, who has only freshman throwers around Young. “She’s been key. A great leader.”
The Wampus Cats have a good freshman turnout, and one to watch out for is Sara Hathaway, who cleared 4-7 last season in the high jump at the middle school level. She could surprise some people in the league this season with similar success.
Leading the boys team will be senior Max Icardo, who went to state last year in the 110 high hurdles and also does the 300 hurdles and long jump.
Fellow senior Hunter Boudousquie will run the 100 and 200. His PR in the 100 is 12.2, and he’s hoping to drop that to 11.8. He just missed out on state in the 200 last year, and will be in the mix for a spot again this season.
After those two, it’s mostly a young team, with athletic freshman Josh Constantin someone to look out for, while freshman Mathis Heisel will run the 1,600 and 3,200.
If hard work it any indication, the Clark Fork team could have some success this year.
“They’re such hard working kids. I hope Nona and Hunter make it to state,” said Haase. “We’ll do well with our depth. We’ll have lot of events covered.”
Clark Fork’s opening meet in Bonners Ferry was canceled, so they’ll open the season on April 11 in Kootenai.