Senior Spotlight: Niemela focuses on his future in football

Editor’s note: This article is part of a recurring series on local high school athletes who had their seasons cut short or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

SANDPOINT — It’s rare for an athlete to leave an imprint across three different sports throughout their high school career, but Christian Niemela did just that.

On the football field, Niemela was able to use his speed and playmaking ability to turn broken plays into touchdowns. On the basketball court, he was known for being a pesky defender that picked the pocket of opponents with ease and wasn’t afraid to guard the other teams best offensive player. And on the track, Niemela honed his natural athletic ability and technique to shine in jumps.

Of the three, football was his favorite but track will always hold a special place in his heart.

In elementary school, Niemela competed in a handful of track meets but he gave it up until his freshman year at SHS. He picked it up again mainly to get noticed by college football recruiters who prefer athletes that compete in multiple sports and to work on his speed. But quickly Niemela’s time on the track team transformed into something much more meaningful.

“It was really cool to meet all these new people and make new relationships,” he said. “It’s like your competing against yourself and I like that dynamic about it.”

Niemela took a particular interest in long jump right away after watching several of his teammates leap into the pit as a freshman. It soon became his go-to event.

“I was pretty natural at it once I really started figuring it out,” he said.

In his first two years on the team, Niemela also competed in the 100, 200 and some relays but entering his junior season he decided to give something new a try — the triple jump. Niemela had always been interested in trying the event, but never felt like he had the time to nail the technique that is so important in the triple jump.

That season, Niemela did and jumps coach Dave DeMers could tell how badly he wanted to excel at the event. Before Niemela knew it, he got the hang of it and by the end of the season earned a trip to state in the triple jump.

In the long jump, Niemela consistently improved each season and took a big leap last year. He notched a personal record of 20 feet at districts, but it wasn’t enough to qualify for state as Niemela missed out on securing an automatic bid by inches.

Obviously, Niemela was frustrated when he learned he didn’t make it to state, but just like every dedicated athlete he moved on and set his sights on new goals. Unfortunately, he never got a chance to pursue those aspirations this season.

Niemela was aiming for state appearances in the long jump and triple jump and was eying the school record of 21 feet 6 inches in the long jump.

DeMers said Niemela could accomplish pretty much anything due to his athletic ability, speed and work ethic.

“He always had the desire to be a good jumper and wanted to improve every day,” DeMers said.

DeMers is grateful he got the opportunity to coach Niemela.

“It was pretty exciting to work with him, I really think a lot of him,” DeMers said. “One thing that I always liked about Christian is that he was always competitive, but he was always humble. Even when things went bad, he showed class.”

Niemela said DeMers helped him not dwell on bad jumps and encouraged him all the time.

“He was very motivational and wouldn’t let me settle for anything less,” Niemela said. “He definitely pushed me and helped me get a lot better, and got me to the point where I was able to exceed my expectations.”

But the football field is where Niemela stood out the most. In his senior season, he caught 45 passes for 841 yards and eight touchdowns to earn all-league honors. He was also an all-league defensive back and returner as a junior.

Niemela’s play helped him garner offers from nine different schools and ultimately he decided to accept a preferred walk-on offer to play at the University of Idaho this fall.

Jeremy Thielbahr, a former Washington State University running back, took over as Sandpoint’s offensive coordinator this past season and Niemela was a star in his system. Niemela credited Thielbahr for helping him get noticed by schools.

“He’s made a name for himself being an amazing coach and he’s such a great guy,” Niemela said about Thielbahr. “He lived out his dreams and now he’s helping kids live out their dreams.”

Thielbahr said Niemela had everything you look for in a wide receiver. He had great hands, was an excellent route runner and had a unique combination of explosiveness and agility that made him a threat whenever he was on the field.

“I think what you’re seeing is a foundation of what’s soon to come,” Thielbahr said.

Thielbahr believes Niemela’s versatility and leadership skills will help him make an impact as a Vandal.

“I think he’ll have great success at the next level,” Thielbahr said. “His character and his athletic ability will shine through during those tough times that he’s going to face. One of the hardest things there is, is college football.”

Niemela enjoyed his time at Sandpoint High. From being crowned the homecoming king to serving as one of the powderpuff coaches, Niemela did it all and he won’t forget those four years anytime soon.

“I got the whole high school experience,” he said.

Niemela’s favorite high school memory came during his sophomore year when he stepped on the basketball court for the Battle for the Paddle game against Lakeland. He said the atmosphere and electricity of the crowd at Les Rogers Court was unreal.

“I think he really left his mark at Sandpoint,” DeMers said.

But Niemela is ready for the next chapter of his life in Moscow. He plans on studying business and economics at UI with a specialization in marketing and entrepreneurship.

Niemela has already begun his entrepreneurial pursuits. He and a pair of his friends recently started a clothing company named Chienachy and have sold $2,000 worth of merchandise so far.

Niemela has a nervous excitement as he gets ready to join a Division I football program. He knows it will be tough but he enjoys proving himself.

Thielbahr built a special bond with Niemela in just a year and there’s no doubt he’ll miss him. He expects the SHS grad’s grit to shine through at UI and thinks his ability to overcome adversity will carry on throughout his life.

“College football challenges the gauntlet of a person’s soul,” Thielbahr said. “He’s going to be challenged and I think he’ll rise to the occasion.”

In his own words: Christian Niemela

“First off I want to start off by saying thank you to my parents Kevin and Lesa and my brother Noah for their constant love, support, and motivation through everything. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them, they have helped put me in a position to be successful at every aspect of life and have taught me to work hard toward my dreams. Next I would like to thank all of my coaches that I have ever had. You have all taught me so many different things and made me better for it and I will never forget all of the memories we made! Next I would like to thank all of my teachers for helping me grow my interest in gaining understanding for new topics and striving to be a better person everyday. Lastly, I would like to thank all of the college coaches who took a chance on a kid who many thought couldn’t achieve it. I am now excited to be moving onto the next level to pursue my dream of playing collegiate football! I will always remember my time at Sandpoint High School and all the friendships and memories made!”