Promising Conditions Are Afoot Weather Should Hold Up For State Track Hopefuls

It’s critical that the sun shines Saturday on area state-qualifying track and field meets.

Not that inclement weather will affect which teams capture titles at regional and district meets. But poor weather could keep the teams’ athletes from earning extra berths to state.

The extended weather forecast calls for partly cloudy but rain-free conditions with temperatures in the mid-60s.

All state track meets will be held May 26-27 at Boise State University.

Here’s a look at state-qualifying meets:

A-1: The meet will be held Friday and Saturday at Lake City High School’s new track.

The top two individuals in each event and the winning relay teams advance to state. However, runner-up relay teams and third- and fourth-place finishing individuals can also earn at-large berths to state.

Three events will be held Friday, beginning at 5 p.m. with the long jump. The 3,200-meter final will take place at 6, followed by the medley relay.

The regional resumes Saturday morning at 10 with field events, followed by running finals at 11.

Post Falls’ boys are considered runaway favorites to capture a team championship. The Trojans have nearly all 18 events covered.

“It’s the most depth we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Post Falls coach Wade Quesnell said.

Trojans Ian Waltz (throws), Darick Pope (hurdles) and Tim Cudmore (jumps) are likely double winners.

The battle here could be for second. Lake City would appear to have an edge, but ever-improving Lewiston and Sandpoint could challenge.

The girls team title could come down to a sprint to the tape between Post Falls and Sandpoint. What could push the Trojans over the top is their depth in the jumps and throws.

The Trojans have the distance races covered with Shannon Olson and Christina Finney, while Amber Lauritzen should score major points for Sandpoint in the open sprints.

Post Falls and Sandpoint will go head to head in several relays - races that could decide the team title.

A-2: The meet will be held all day Saturday at Lakeland’s Corbit Field.

The top three individuals in each event and winning relay teams advance to state. There will be some at-large berths available to other top finishers.

Field events will begin at 9:45 a.m., followed by running events at 10:30.

The chase for team titles will be nothing short of entertaining.

In the boys it appears to be a two-team tug of war between host Lakeland and Moscow. The Bears edged the Hawks in a league dual, and the final margin should be as close or closer at district.

Lakeland’s hopes for a team title center around jump specialist Jim Noble and throwing standout John Bierne. Moscow’s depth in the long distances could be the winning difference for the Bears.

The girls team title could come down to a battle between four teams: Bonners Ferry, Lakeland, Moscow and Priest River.

If two teams are left standing at the end, it’ll most likely be Bonners Ferry and Lakeland.

Bonners Ferry beat Lakeland by a point in a league dual. The Badgers are led by hurdles standout April Near, while jumper Teresa Viebrock leads the Hawks.

A-3: Wallace athletes will be competing in the District I-II meet Friday and Saturday at Kamiah High School.

Wallace junior Dana Streeter, a fourevent state qualifier last year, will be out to qualify for state again in as many events.

The top three individual placers and top two relay teams advance to state.

A-4: North Star League teams join central Idaho schools at the District I-II meet at Kamiah High School on Friday and Saturday.

The top three individual placers and top two relays teams advance to state.

Falls Christian Academy’s girls will be out to defend their regional title. The Eagles will be led by four-event standouts Becky Straw and Sarah Peterson.