HIVELIGHTS W/ MAX OSWALD: Ethan Howard is the epitome of a Wampus Cat

CLARK FORK — A four-year quarterback, basketball forward, and lifetime EnduroCross racer, Clark Fork senior Ethan Howard leaves a career behind that will not be forgotten.

Meeting Ethan

It wasn’t too long ago, March of 2023 to be exact, that I made my first drive over to Clark Fork High School. During that drive, I admittedly got out of my car that morning to take a picture of the beautiful mountains … probably something a tourist would do, but I couldn’t resist. I was originally headed over to get acquainted with the school’s staff and the community, but ended up staying for an Avista Utilities intern presentation. It was not a typical job for a sports reporter, but I was the only reporter on staff at that time, so figured I would help out. It was there that I met Ethan for the first time. 

After the presentation, Ethan and I talked a bit about basketball and football and I can distinctly remember him saying something along the lines of “I really hope we get some better coverage this year.”

Fast forward to today, Ethan tells me he remembers saying that boldly. I took that to heart … and clearly never forgot about it.

Playing at a small school

Before moving to the area, I had heard of small schools before, but never truly realized how they operated or how small they actually were. Athletes like Ethan are usually doing two sports, if not three, and competing year round under the pressure of having to be at their best at all times. Ethan did pretty well at that, battling Type 1 diabetes through it all.

You may have seen Ethan’s name in articles about scoring 20-plus points in a basketball game, receiving North Star League honors or throwing five touchdown passes in a football game against Lakeside, four in the fourth quarter, to complete one of the most miraculous comebacks in 1A history. Oh, and as if it wasn’t great enough, that win lifted the Wampus Cats to the 1A state playoffs where they eventually lost to Garden Valley by a narrow margin. 

“I still get goosebumps when I go back and watch the game-winning touchdown video,” Howard said. “It was one of the only times I was really impressed with myself. No one expected us to come back from that — we didn’t expect to come back from that.”

In basketball this past season, Howard and Clark Fork were also impressive after finally getting past the 1A state play-in game, a challenge in year’s past. Another checkmark off the list of goals.

Ethan said he was inspired by the older athletes before his time, specifically Cameron Garcia and Carter Sanroman.

“Those guys being so good always drove me to want to be just as good,” Howard said. “The competition within the team, to be the best, fueled me. It was nice having those guys around because they wanted to see me improve. I have always been a competitive person, and my parents have been yelling at my brother and I (Owen) to stop making everything a competition since we could talk.”

As for fellow senior teammates by his side, Ethan said twins Chase and Cole Sanroman were the best to play with in every sport.

“Playing with those guys, especially these last two years, have been some of the best,” Howard said. “They have been my two best friends since elementary school.”

Believe it or not, Chase was Ethan’s first varsity touchdown pass and his last. 8-man football doesn’t get much better than that.

The impact of sports

Ethan grew up playing and trying out different sports … soccer, flag football, recreation basketball to name a few. Once he made it to junior high, that’s where he realized his dream of being a quarterback, a dream he had before he ever started playing tackle football. That’s also around the time of one of Ethan’s favorite memories, when the Junior High Wampus Cats completed an 8-0 undefeated football season under head coach Chris Shelton. 

Even before all of that, Ethan’s earliest sports memories are that of Endurocross — he’s been riding dirt bikes since the age of five, and started racing when he was seven. After a break, he found his passion for the sport again about five years ago and hasn’t stopped since. Endurocross, which consumes most of Ethan’s free time during the summer, is formatted like a motocross race that includes challenging obstacles such as rock beds, water crossings, tractor tires, or telephone poles, all packed into the tight confines of a stadium. Not a sport for the faint of heart, and I’m sure that courage translated to Ethan’s high school sports career.

“It’s definitely something I love and is not going to be something I stop doing,” Howard said. “Now that high school sports are over, this is the only sport I have left.”

Ethan said the commitment he put towards all the sports he has participated in over the years greatly impacted his development as a person. Showing up to practice every day served as a way for him to stay motivated and become a more dedicated person, and also helped to keep his grades up.

“Sports helped me develop the mindset of setting out to achieve something and not giving up until I accomplish it,” Howard said. “I feel like I developed a good work ethic after years and years of practice, working my butt off.”

Deserving of recognition

The students at Clark Fork High are dedicated to their sports just as much as any other school. It’s only fair that athletes like Ethan are recognized and celebrated by the community just like any other high school athlete — Ethan, I hope I was able to help with that.

Clark Fork head football coach Patrick Young has first-hand knowledge about Ethan's dedication to his craft.

“Ethan always had a strong desire and passion to be great,” Young said. “He always worked hard and would show up ready to compete every day. However, the most impressive thing about Ethan is his leadership skills, not only leading by example but his ability to keep guys focused and accountable is undeniable. Ethan is a high character individual who made everyone else around him better. I definitely feel blessed to have been his coach for one season and he will truly be missed.”

Ethan truly is the epitome of what it means to be a Wampus Cat — hard-working, motivated, talented, and ready for anything.

    Howard attempts to clear a rock bed during an EnduroCross race.