Bulldogs show spirit at Battle for the Paddle

The Bulldogs came out in full spirit mode at the Battle for the Paddle, an annual spirit competition against Lakeland High School on Friday, Jan. 19.

SHS put up a good fight with students braving the cold and icy roads to come out dressed to follow the theme of “Race to the Paddle” or a NASCAR theme. 

The event began strongly with a girls basketball game with SHS walking away with a win, the crowds pumping up the team and the game coming down to the very last second. The game was one of the victories that SHS walked away with that night in addition to the rowing race, which is a race on “boats” on wheels maneuvered across the gym with plungers. Throughout the whole night, the respective cheer teams ran to the floor to show off their routines and helped to get the crowd pumped. 

SHS students took center stage for the famous lip sync battle part way through the night, following the theme with songs like “Shut Up and Drive” by Rhianna and “Bust your Windows” by Jazmine Sullivan. Senior Jack Landon was a part of the lip sync battle and was especially popular when he broke out the “stanky leg” during the dance-off portion. 

“It was a great time dancing,” Landon said. “It was really enjoyable to hype up the crowd with Sydeny Meshberg. I had a good time dancing, it was a good time going out supporting Sandpoint High School and it was a memory I will never forget.” 

The night was long and loud, with students screaming during the decibel readings and cheering and yelling their hearts out. 

“I thought that there was not a lot of SHS student body that showed up so we had a disadvantage,” Madeleine Mitchell, a member of the band and junior at SHS, said. Their crowd was definitely more involved but we put up a good fight. I’m hoping that hosting the event next year will give us a leg up.” 

Battle for the Paddle is graded by neutral judges from other schools in the area and includes over 10 categories. While Sandpoint was able to come away with victories in the girls' basketball game, the rowing race, and the artwork contest, Lakeland walked away with the overall win for the night.

    A Bulldog wrestler takes on a competitor in the recent annual Battle for the Paddle.
  

    Sandpoint High School students cheer on the Bulldogs at the recent Battle for the Paddle against Lakeland.
  

    Sandpoint High School sophomore class president Trevor Richardson cheers on the Bulldogs at the recent Battle for the Paddle against Lakeland.
  

    Sandpoint High School senior Gavin Nicholson rallies the Bulldogs at the recent Battle for the Paddle against Lakeland.