Priest River track earns most medals since 2010

BOISE — The Priest River track team had 16 athletes compete at the Idaho Class 3A state track meet at Middleton High School over the weekend.

Six different Spartans came away with state medals. Leading the way was Matyus McLain with three.

The junior finished third in discus with a throw of 140 feet and 11 inches. He also set a personal record in the shot put with a toss of 45 feet and three inches. Finally, he was a part of Priest River’s 4x100 meter relay team that finished in sixth place.

McLain was the first Spartans track athlete to come home with three medals since 2010.

“This was a vast improvement from 2021,” Priest River track coach Jared Hughes said. “We had a great showing at the state meet.”

The team's six medals were the most by a Priest River track team since 2012.

The boys team finished in 11 place with 25 points, with the girls finishing in 21 with four points.

“This was also an improvement from last year,” Hughes said. “We only scored three and a half points combined as a team in 2021.”

The Spartans also had several athletes who may not have seen the podium but set personal best marks at the state meet.

Kylee Swoboda for example, finished in 11 place in the high jump, clearing four feet and eight inches, which was a personal best mark.

Hadassah Davis also set a personal best time in the 100 meter sprint with a time of 13.73. She finished in 16 place.

Erik Deem reached the podium with his personal best mark in the pole vault.

The senior finished in fifth place, clearing 12 feet and seven inches.

Shane Gamber also earned a medal during the 2022 Class 3A Idaho state track meet in the 300 meter hurdles.

Gamber notched a fourth place finish with a time of 42.08.

Jimmie Isenberger finished in eighth place during the same event.

Allyson Barton rounded up the top six finishers for Priest River by placing fifth in the discus event.

Barton finished with a throw of 107 feet and 10 inches.

Two relay teams notched top eight finishes for the Spartans, the 4x400 and the 4x200.

The 4x200 relay team of Isenberger, Tavis Matthews, Ethan Korff, and Gamber finished in seventh place with a personal best time of 1:34.56.

Finally, the 4x400 relay team made up of Isenberger, Matthews, Deem, and Gamber finished in eighth place with a time of 3:38.05.

“This improvement was a testament to the hard work put in by the athletes and coaching staff this year,” Hughes said. “I’m very proud of all of them.”

The Priest River track team will have its awards ceremony on Thursday, May 26, at the Priest River High School cafeteria.