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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Post Falls On Track For Success Trojans Boys And Girls Impressive In Victories Over Lake City, Sandpoint

Jim Meehan Post Falls Staff writer

If you look closely enough, you can still see the paint in the parking lot that used to mark the discus and shot put rings for the Post Falls High track and field team.

The fading white paint is near cement curbs, which once served as stop boards.

These days, there are four concrete shot rings and four discus rings put to good use by talented Post Falls throwers.

Until several years ago, Post Falls runners navigated a dirt oval at the junior high. Now, they circle an eight-lane all-weather track.

The improvements have coincided with Post Falls’ emergence as an area track power. That was evident, again, on a chilly Thursday as the Trojans swept past Sandpoint and Lake City.

Post Falls boys scored 84 points to outdistance Sandpoint’s 62 and Lake City’s 40. The Trojans girls’ 72 points edged Lake City’s 68 and Sandpoint’s 48 in a meet that ended under the moonlight.

“We’re very pleased with where the program’s at,” PF coach Wade Quesnell said. “I’ve got a heck of a staff.”

That would include throws coach Dan Nipp, a demanding instructor and a perfectionist for technique. One of Nipp’s pupils is Austin Lee, who won the shot and discus.

Statewide, Lee is the top returning placer in the shot and second in the discus.

On the girls’ side, Lindsey Owen took first in the shot (32 feet, 6-1/2 inches) and discus (107-2).

“More kids are turning out,” Nipp said. “Part of that is that they don’t have to stand around and wait to throw. That helps.”

All of the coaches on Thursday seemed to depart with smiles despite shiver-inducing temperatures.

Lake City’s girls gave a strong performance. Cassandra Gulam was a double winner in the hurdles and sophomore Katie Hahn claimed the 400 in 1 minute, 4.4 seconds.

“Cassandra had a real nice day,” LC coach Donna Messenger said. “She ran a nice 200 leg (in the 800 relay).”

Sandpoint girls’ coach Al Alt enjoyed a 1-2-3 Bulldog finish in the 1,600 meters and Tarrah Allamaras’ victory in the 3,200.

Post Falls had a trio of double winners - Owen (throws), Shannon Siverson (triple and long jumps) and Jennifer Swanstrom (100 and 200).

In the boys’ meet, a couple of fine football running backs showed they can transfer their speed to the track. Sandpoint’s Jeremy Thielbahr was second in the 100, first in the 200 and ran a dandy anchor leg on a winning 400-relay team.

“It’s really the first time we’ve run together,” said Thielbahr, whose weight is up from 195 in the fall to 205. Thielbahr also plays on the baseball team, so he expects to miss a couple of meets.

Post Falls’ Josh Mort nipped Thielbahr in the 100 and he had staked the Trojans’ 400-relay team to the lead with a swift opening 100 before Thielbahr erased the deficit.

Lake City’s Matt Lider won the high jump and was second in the long jump. “He’s getting back in rhythm,” a pleased Messenger said.

Post Falls’ Brad Harmon won the 1,600 and was second in the 3,200.

“Post Falls has a tough program,” Sandpoint boys coach Tom Albertson said. “They’ve got a few less programs, so they don’t have to compete with some other sports. They’ve got a great coaching staff that works well together. They’re pulling athletes from football and basketball. That’s the direction we want to head.”

Softball

In a doubleheader at Lake City, LC beat Post Falls, 4-1 and 11-2.

In the first game, LC pitcher Courtney Zimmerman struck out 15 to set a school record.

In the second, Amber Barnes threw a one hitter and gave up no earned runs.

Also for Lake City, in both games, Kim Budvardson stole four bases.

At Potlatch, St. Maries’ pounded out 38 hits in a 42-3 win over Potlatch.

The Lumberjacks’ Brianne Badget and Alicia Adams hit for the cycle.

Bryna Reynolds also hit a home run in the second inning.

At Priest River, Lakeland freshman Tiffany Hall struck out 11 and gave up just one hit in the Hawks’ 11-0 win over PR.

The Spartans didn’t help themselves defensively either. They committed eight errors.

Hall is 2-0 on the season.

Baseball

The St. Maries’ baseball team delivered another shot to Potlatch. The visitng Lumberjacks beat Potlatch, 15-0.

Ty Konkright had seven strikeouts while Toby Epler had two hits, one of which was a bases-clearing triple in the third inning. He had five RBIs on the day in addition to scoring a run.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 photos (1 color)