5 SHS runners named to 'Dirty Dozen' cross country team

SANDPOINT — The District I cross country team was announced earlier this week and five SHS runners received honors after another strong season by the Bulldogs.

The team, also referred to as the "Dirty Dozen," is made up of the 12 best runners and a Runner of the Year in District 1 regardless of classification. The squad is voted on by all the coaches in District 1 and chosen based on state results, personal records and head-to-head competition throughout the season.

Jett Lucas, Keegan Nelson and Nathan Roche all earned a spot on the District I team for the boys and Nikolai Braedt was named Runner of the Year. Mackenzie Suhy-Gregoire received District I honors for the girls.

Suhy-Gregoire led the girls squad this fall and established her spot as the Bulldogs' No. 1 runner. The regional champion helped the girls win their eighth straight district title and take ninth at state. She placed 24th at state and finished in the top seven in six events this season.

Girls cross country coach Angie Brass said she has seen the junior take huge strides over the last few years and her improvement was on full display this fall.

"Mackenzie’s love and devotion to her team and training, and her consistent hard work helped her solidify a new PR of 20:05," Angie wrote in an email.

That 5K time is the 21st best in school history on the girls side.

Braedt, the boys' Runner of the Year, continued a storied cross country career for the Bulldogs by claiming a third straight individual regional title this year. He earned state medalist honors by placing 11th to help the boys secure fourth at state, their first trophy at the event since 2014.

Braedt holds the 5K school record with a time of 15:35, ran a season best 15:55 at the Inland Empire Challenge and placed in the top three in seven races this fall.

Boys cross country coach Matt Brass said the senior captain was someone the team could always rely on.

"He has a focused work ethic and leads by example and vocally," Matt wrote. "He earned this award with consistent excellence."

It's hard to talk about Braedt without mentioning Lucas, Matt said. The two have been inseparable over the course of their careers, running side-by-side while shattering the SHS record books. Both have been named to the "Dirty Dozen" three times.

"They have worked together so well the last four years," he wrote.

Lucas is second on the all-time list with a 15:46 and placed 15th at state last season. He took 24th this year.

The senior captain finished runner-up at regionals for the second straight year to help the boys grab their eighth consecutive district championship. He also won four events this season.

Matt said Lucas left his mark on the people around him.

"He is a calm and grounded young man, who always does a great job of keeping teammates relaxed and focused in pressure situations," he wrote.

Nelson was named to the "Dirty Dozen" for the second straight year after capturing 29th at state and third at regionals.

The senior captain is eighth on the SHS all-time list with a 16:21 and finished in the top eight four times this fall.

Nelson joined the cross country as a sophomore, made an immediate impact and was a leader from the start, Matt said.

"He is a natural leader, who recognizes when things need to be done or said," he wrote. "He is a dedicated athlete and student, always choosing the right way over the easy way."

Roche, a freshman, showed the future is bright for the Bulldogs. Roche shattered Sam Levora's 5K freshman record set in 2010, running a 16:48 at the Inland Empire Challenge to move to 24th on the all-time list.

He captured 35th in his first year at state to earn a spot on the District I team.

Matt said it's rare to see a freshman make the "Dirty Dozen," but Roche had a special year.

"He is very mentally tough, and challenged himself each week to be better," he wrote. "He is an excellent teammate and worked very well with the strong boys pack this season."