UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Fragoso, McDaniel ready to cement legacies at 4A State Track & Field Meet

SANDPOINT — Over the last five years, Sandpoint High’s pole vaulting program has built a reputation for being one of the best in the state of Idaho. Heading into the 4A state championship, seniors Klein Fragoso and Devin McDaniel, both school record holders, are looking to take home both the boys and girls state titles after fighting through a season filled with adversity.

It all started when Coach Blake Houchin was hired onto the Sandpoint High track and field staff in 2018. Houchin graduated from Doane University in Crete, Neb. in 2007 where he pole vaulted for the track and field team, clearing upwards of 14 feet and 10 inches during his career. Houchin said the Bulldog’s success over the years is no accident, but has also involved a little bit of luck and some very dedicated athletes.

“I think we have done a heck of a job with our limited resources and with how short our season is,” Houchin said. “Since 2018, we have had 15 state qualifiers and nine medalists, despite all challenges. We have had a lot of people come through this program and improve really quickly. Based on how different it is down south in regards to facilities, weather and everything — we have just done really well.”

Surprisingly, Bulldog prodigies Fragoso and McDaniel didn’t start pole vaulting until high school. During her freshman year, McDaniel wasn’t exactly keen on the whole idea of vaulting, still competing in a variety of distance events. It wasn’t until her junior year, where she finished second in the state’s 4A classification, that she was fully focused on her craft. Now she holds the school record after clearing 11 feet and 6 inches earlier this year.

“I was a gymnast for the first 10 years of my life, so I still wanted to do something where I was in the air and was able to feel an adrenaline rush,” McDaniel said. “I feel like everyone who does gymnastics ends up doing pole vault somehow.”

Three different girls have finished state runner-up for Sandpoint the last three years, all to Emmet’s Tatum Richards, the second-best pole vaulter in Idaho history. Richards now competes for Montana State, where McDaniel hopes to be pole vaulting at this time next year. However, as for right now, it’s McDaniel's turn to shine.

As for Fragoso, he didn’t start pole vaulting until his sophomore year. Why? He got tired of sitting in the car freshman year waiting for his brother, Slate, to finish vaulting. There was no particular drive or interest compelling Fragoso to start — it was just his competitive spirit calling him to action. Klein started out by clearing 10 feet and 6 inches his sophomore season to now holding the school record of 14 feet and 9 inches. He’s looking to pole vault at Colorado State next year.

“It’s a super surreal experience to know I’m one of the top vaulters in the school's history,” Fragoso said. “It’s weird to think about it, but I also know I put in the work and had the dedication to make this happen. My biggest driving force was to be better than my brother. I would not be where I am today without my brother and I bickering, being competitive with each other behind closed doors.”

After long careers, the two are ready to close things out with state titles. Last week, both vaulters weren’t able to compete at the district championships due to injuries, but are now cleared and ready to go for this weekend having been granted injury hardships by the IHSAA.

“It would be really a great way to close out our careers,” McDaniel said in regards to winning state championships. “I feel like it’s been our all-time goal for so long.”

Fragoso, who was fifth at last year’s state meet, agreed.

“I knew I was going to be a top returner this year and that if I put my mind to it, I could make it happen,” Fragoso said. “It’s hopefully going to be a super rewarding experience no matter what. The biggest thing with pole vault is… you can be great at practice, but what really matters is executing on the day of the meet.”

The pairs only regret up until this point? Not starting to pole vault sooner. Coach Houchin said regardless, the two are extremely special athletes … athletes that are super competitive and have been always willing to do what it takes to up their game.

“They hate to lose more than they like to win,” Houchin said. “This year, they were able to walk into most meets wondering who was going to be second place. That’s the kind of confidence they have — and should have. They have really upped their game this year, trying to improve every single day on every single drill, and those little things make a big difference.”

The 4A IHSAA State Track & Field Meet will be held Friday and Saturday at Mountain View High — where the gold medals await.