Thursday, March 28, 2024
37.0°F

6 Bulldogs earn spot on 'Dirty Dozen'

by DYLAN GREENE
Sports Editor | November 9, 2021 1:00 AM

Six Bulldogs were named to the District 1 cross country team for their performances this fall.

Ben Ricks, Slate Fragoso and Nathan Roche secured a spot on the boys team, while Mackenzie Suhy-Gregoire, Megan Oulman and Ara Clark earned a spot on the girls team.

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.

Ricks stepped up in his senior season and was crowned the individual regional champion on the boys side. He led the squad to their ninth straight regional title and owns the sixth-fastest 5K time in school history — a 16:10.90. He took 39th at the 4A state meet this fall after placing 56th in 2020.

“He is a three-year letterman,” boys cross country coach Matt Brass said, “and has been an excellent mentor and a strong voice for his team, showing continued dedication and commitment in his four years on the team.”

Fragoso, a junior captain, earned medalist honors at regionals this fall for the second straight season. The three-year letterman ran the 14th-fastest 5K time in SHS history at the Inland Empire Challenge this year and finished 36th at state. He will certainly be a key piece of next year’s team.

“He was selected as co-captain this season for his calm leadership and outstanding work ethic,” Matt said.

Roche, who was also named to the Dirty Dozen last year, left quite the mark in his sophomore season and is primed to do something special in the coming years. He paced the Bulldogs to a seventh-place finish at state this year, capturing 21st. He earned medalist honors at regionals for the second time and his 16:12.92 5K time is eighth on the all-time SHS list.

“He is a motivated and dedicated runner, leading a strong sophomore class that is the future of the program,” Matt said.

Suhy-Gregoire, Oulman and Clark were part of a formidable trio that led the girls to their best finish at state since 2017 and their ninth straight regional title.

For the second straight year, Suhy-Gregoire brought home 24th at state. This is the second time the senior has received a spot on the Dirty Dozen. She won the 2020 individual regional championship and her dedication allowed her to see significant time drops every season, culminating in a personal record of 19:22.86 this season that puts her at 11th on the all-time list.

“Her dedication to her training and team goals has made her impact profound,” girls cross country coach Angie Brass said. “She cares deeply about her teammates and works to make connections. She is a great teacher with our younger team members and always brings her best to finish strong for her team.”

Oulman competed at state four years in a row, with her best finish coming this fall when she secured 27th. The senior captain placed third at regionals this year and second in 2020. Oulman’s PR of 19:09.73 puts her at eighth on the all-time list, and her presence will be missed.

“She has taken steps forward each season in performance and training, working diligently to become the most efficient runner she can be,” Angie said. “She has helped build on what team leaders from the past have helped to create and embodies the women’s team motto of ‘For Each Other.’”

Clark made an immediate impact as a freshman two years ago and transformed into the Bulldogs’ top runner this season. The junior captain claimed the individual regional title this year and captured 27th at state. She is already fifth on the team’s all-time 5 K list and has the drive to climb even higher next season.

“She is incredibly tough and races with boldness and strength,” Angie said. “She brings a calm dependability to her team each day and a competitive fire that helps inspire her teammates.”

DISTRICT 1 CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

BOYS

Runner of the Year — Max Cervi-Skinner, fr., Coeur d’Alene.

Dirty Dozen

Jacob King, so., Coeur d’Alene; Nathan Roche, so., Sandpoint; Zach Cervi-Skinner, fr., Coeur d’Alene; Logan Davis, sr., Coeur d’Alene Charter; Jacob Barnhart, so., Timberlake; Connor Alexander, sr., Bonners Ferry; Gavin Calkins, sr., Post Falls; Makai Peak, so., Kellogg; Slate Fragoso, jr., Sandpoint; Lachlan May, so., Coeur d’Alene; Ben Ricks, sr., Sandpoint; Maximilian Bazler, sr., Lake City.

GIRLS

Runners of the Year — Samantha Wood, sr., Post Falls; Annastasia Peters, jr., Post Falls.

Dirty Dozen

McKenna Kozeluh, jr., Coeur d’Alene Charter; Clara Stephens, sr., Lake City; Hazel Kunkel, fr., Lake City; Anne Marie Dance, so., Coeur d’Alene; Zara Munyer, fr., Coeur d’Alene; Alahna Lien, sr., Post Falls; Mackenzie Suhy-Gregoire, sr., Sandpoint; Ara Clark, jr., Sandpoint; Kaylynn Misner, fr., Post Falls; Elliana Rietze, so., Coeur d’Alene; Megan Oulman, sr., Sandpoint.

photo

(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)

Senior Ben Ricks rounds a corner during the Pine Street Woods Invite on Aug. 27.

photo

(File photo by DYLAN GREENE)

Senior Megan Oulman competes in the Pine Street Woods Invitational on Aug. 27.

photo

(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)

Junior Slate Fragoso rounds a corner during the Pine Street Woods Invite. He won the boys race at the dual with a time of 15:04.

photo

(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)

Junior Ara Clark grits her teeth as she crosses the finish line in first during the Pine Street Woods Invite.

photo

(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)

Sophomore Nathan Roche digs deep as he nears the finish of the 4A Region 1 meet.