North Idaho Track Preview
Inland Empire League
In alphabetical order
Coeur d’Alene Vikings
Coach: Sean Dorris
Top returners: Brenda Nipp, senior, sprints/relays; Janee Andre, sophomore, sprints/jumps/relays; Kira Thompson, junior, relays/middle distances; Anna-Kate Ambrose, jr., hurdles/high jump; Eva Unruh, jr., distances; Kelsi Luhnow, jr., distances; Clint Young, sr., md/relays.
Top newcomers: Adam Breuchaud, jr., sprints/ relays; Levi Beckman, jr., sprints; Chandi Bennett, jr., triple jump/relays; Bart Setter, sophomore, throws.
Outlook: The Viks girls have some big-point scorers in Nipp and Andre and should make a run at the regional title. But depth may be their downfall. Nipp will threaten for state titles in the sprints and Andre will contend for nothing less than medals. The boys are young and inexperienced.
Lake City Timberwolves
Coach: Donna Messenger
Top returners: Charlie Miller, jr., distances; Scott Bushnell, sr., sprints/relays; Chad Troxel, jr., sprints/relays; Jim Denny, jr., pole vault/relays; Richard Novotny, jr., hurdles/relays; Mike Duff, jr., relays/jumps; Mike Keith, sr., 800/relays/long jump; Josh Johnson, sr., distances; Ryan Duncan, sr., throws; Shannon Conley, jr., sprints/relays; Katie Hawn, sr., 400/relays; Tiffany Frei, soph., relays/long jump; Deborah Moyer, jr., distances; Mandi Nimke, sr., throws; Cassie Bro, soph., throws; Julie Vieselmeyer, jr., 800/relays.
Top newcomers: Sam Meredith, jr., pv/relays; Jake Freeman, soph., 400/relays; Keith Vedder, jr., hurdles/jumps; Pete Hamill, soph., sprints/relays; Mikhaela Euler, freshman, hurdles; Carly Smith, soph., pv/hurdles.
Outlook: The Timberwolves boys have best shot at catching regional champ Lewiston. LC features the top distance runners, a good corps of sprinters and some quality athletes in field events. The girls hope to contend for regional title, too. More than anything, LC’s program has more depth than most in the league.
Lewiston Bengals
Coach: Wade Hillman
Top returners: Rick McCrery, sr., sprints/relays/ jumps; Mike Rogers, soph., sprints/relays; Tyler Simons, jr., hj/relays; Colin Jasper, soph., sprints/ relays; Mickey Hewitt, sr., hurdles/relays; Darren Mohr, sr., sprints/relays; Todd Jones, sr., distances; Nick Rynearson, sr., distances; Mike Frei, sr., discus; Hallie Warnock, soph., distances; Lorien Albright, sr., hurdles/relays; Jenni Blewett, sr., sprinter; Jennifer Brooks, jr., hj/sprints; Jessica Anderson, sr., sprints/relays.
Top newcomers: Mike Anderson, fresh., sprints/ relays; Camas Weaver, soph., sprints/relays; Rachel Allen, soph., sprints/relays/pv.
Outlook: Lewiston’s boys are the regional champs until somebody knocks them off. They will rely heavily on their strength - sprinters. The girls should contend for a regional title.
Post Falls Trojans
Coach: Wade Quesnell
Top returners: Jennifer Swanstrom, sr., sprints/ relays; Megan Billetz, jr., jumps; Bridgett Alderton, soph., sprints/relays; Janelle Ruen, jr., jumps; Amanda Crooks, jr., throws; Megan Fehling, jr., throws; Shasta Cornett, sr., pv; Drew Schooley, jr., pv; Ryan Therrian sr., hurdles/high jump; Vance Agte, sr., hurdles; Scott McArthur, sr., throws; Steve Gustin, sr., throws; Matt Smith, sr., throws; Joe Getchius, sr., pv; Cameron Christiansen, sr., pv/relays; Jon Garrett, jr., sprinter; Doug Malar, soph, sprinter; Justin Thayer, sr., sprinter; Brent Ivaniovitch, jr., sprinter; Jekiah Cornett, jr., pv; John Stypa, jr., pv.
Top newcomers: Carmi Eberle, soph., sprints; Nicole Clutter, freshman, distances; Trish Wagner, fresh., sprints/relays; Eli Thornley, jr., throws; Nathan Lightner, soph., sprints.
Outlook: The Trojans’ program has slipped from its regional championship status of a few years ago largely because they don’t have the cycle of athletes they’ve had in the past. Also, the addition of other spring sports has spread out the athlete base. Still, the Trojans have a handful of athletes who’ll challenge for state medals.
Sandpoint Bulldogs
Coach: Adam Sharrai
Top returners: Caleb Bowman, sr., sprints; Matt Smith, sr., throws; Mark Allen, sr., 800/hj; Mike Dean, sr., throws; Doug Hawkins, sr., relays; Jon Lundak, jr., distances; Frankie Good, jr., sprints/ relays; Dave Mattingley, sr., throws; Tim Swanstrom, sr., throws; Lee Vanhorn, soph., sprints/relays; Jeremy Vasquez, jr., pv/relays; Stacy Bolstad, soph., sprints/hurdles; Alicia Benefield, jr., relays/sprints; Trisha Ginter, soph., sprints/relays; Francie Piehl, jr., distances; Chrissy Ross, jr., throws; Natalie Ward, sr., throws; Tarah Allmaras, jr., middle distances/relays; Nicole Maloney, jr., distances/pv.
Top newcomers: Natasha Cargill, sr., throws; Brittany French, fresh., distances; Holli Gaston, fresh., sprints/relays; Jessica Lippi, soph., sprints/ relays; Katie Murdoch, fresh., sprints/relays; Michelle Reina, fresh., distance/sprints; Patricia Thom, fresh., sprints/pv; J.C. Davault, fresh., hurdles/sprints; Chas James, jr., distances; Chris Love, fresh., sprints/pv; Paul Nieman, jr., sprints/relays; Mike Padel, fresh., distances,
Outlook: More than 90 boys and girls turned out, the most in recent history. Among the first-time participants are several football players. Bowman could double his gold pleasure at state.
INTERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE
Bonners Ferry
Coaches: Harry O’Dell (boys), Todd Kiesbuy (girls)
Top returners: Ken Yount, sr., sprinter; Leo Zimmerman, sr., hj; Josh Sherven, jr., distances; Jarred Ekstrom, jr., distances; Kim Carey, jr., throws; Sarah Stolley, sr., throws; Amber Paulson, sr., sprints; Jennifer Hurst, jr., pv.
Top newcomer: Andy Rice, soph., jumps.
Outlook: The boys feature the top distance runners in the league and, if they can find some more points on the track, might surprise at district. The girls lack the depth to threaten but will send some athletes capable of medaling to state.
Kellogg Wildcats
Coach: Dale Hunt
Top newcomers: Cory Lewis, sr., sprints/pv; Bo Alf, sr., pv; Cody Lemieux, sr., sprints/relays; Cody Lodi, sr., throws; Dustin Mathis, sr., jumps; Dustin Shafer, sr., throws; Steve Stevens, jumps; Josh Stice, hurdles/sprints; Sunni Gaines, sr., hurdles/ pv; Jody Hunt, sr., sprints/relays; Ali Leeds, sr., 800/relays; Russelle Mann, hurdles/sprints; Casey Rainio, hurdles/relays; Brady Bircher, jr., sprints/ relays/hj; Ryan Frank, hurdles/relays; John Godwin, jr., jumps/hurdles; Frank Morden, jr., distances; Ryan Mann, soph., pv/relays; Stephanie Baillie, jr., throws; Wendy Costa, jr., throws; Miriam Goodner, jr., throws; Wendy Vork, jr., jumps/relays; Heather Hoeck, soph., relays/ sprints.
Top newcomers: Brandon Neff, soph., relays/ jumps; Chelsea Leeds, soph., distances; Brad Keene, fresh., 400.
Outlook: Kellogg’s boys and girls could challenge for district titles if the bigger schools stumble. Hunt is enjoying one of the largest turnouts in recent years. Several Wildcats should earn state berths.
Lakeland Hawks
Coach: Lee Libera
Top returners: Jessica Banbury, sr., jumps/ sprints; Natalie Meyer, sr., distances; Alisa Bailey, jr., relays/md; Leah Street, jr., md/relays; Tema Bassett, jr., relays/md; Priscilla Dooley, soph., relays/hurdles; Sarah DeBoer, sr., hurdles/jumps; Levi Cushman, jr., throws; Seth Brundige, soph., jumps; Harrison Bertsch, jr., relays/sprints.
Top newcomers: Tim Libby, hurdles/sprints; Chris Carr, sr., md; Charles Hill, sr., md; Anika Duvall, soph., sprints; Paula Kienbaum, jr., jumps/800.
Outlook: As the second-largest school in the league, Lakeland always will contend for district titles, even if it graduated several talented athletes. Banbury and Meyer will lead the girls while Cushman, Brundige and Bertsch lead the boys.
Moscow Bears
Coach: Jana Jensen
Top returners: Kevin Chin, sr., sprints/relays; Lamar Williams, jr., hurdles; Maurice Williams, jr., sprints; Rachel Drury, sr., pv; Janel Falk, sr., distances; Courtney Goetz, soph., hj; Pat Armstrong, sr., throws.
Top newcomers: Gabe Patton, jr., sprints/jumps; Jenny Liou, fresh., distances; Ben Nagy, jr., throws/relays; Sara Plummer, soph., sprints; Katie Pool, sr., sprints.
Outlook: The Bears christened their new, state-ofthe-art track last week. The district meet, long held at Lakeland, will move to Moscow this year. Jensen, who replaces Chris Tarabochia, is hopeful her boys and girls will challenge for district championships.
Priest River Spartans
Coach: Donovan Roley
Top returners: Tenneall Leen, sr., distances; Nikki Farr, sr., hurdles; Billie Washburn, jr., distances; Kim Oldham, sr., hurdles/jumps; Cheyenne Ward, jr., distances; Jason Dickenson, sr., sprints; Jesse Owens, sr., sprints.
Top newcomers: Roger White, fresh., 1,600/hj; Aimee Hughes, soph., throws; Tambi Cork, fresh., throws.
Outlook: Roley is optimistic even though the Spartans aren’t deep. Priest River’s boys and girls will have a say in the crowning of district champs. They’ll take points away from the top-finishing teams.
St. Maries Lumberjacks
Coach: Gary Krumheuer
Top returners: Cory Nemeth, sr., sprints/jumps; Joe Theisen, sr., throws; Micah Kunkel, soph., md; Franklin Krier, soph., md; Brandy Bartlett, sr., hurdles/400; Jolie Kunkel, sr., throws; Melanie Lorenz, jr., distances; Aree Stone, soph., distances; Liz Badgett, soph., sprints; Amy Reinhofer, soph., jumps.
Top newcomers: None at this time.
Outlook: Graduation and a lower turnout hurt Lumberjacks. Nemeth, Stone and Jolie Kunkel are serious contenders for state berths.
NORTH STAR LEAGUE
Clark Fork Wampus Cats
Coaches: Rich Hanna, Tim Ross
Top returners: George Klontz, jr., shot put; Mark Cheslic, sr., hurdles/relays; Jason Meredith, sr., jumps/relays; Michael Howard, soph., discus/relays/sprints; Rhrianna Casler, jr., distances; Shannon Decker, jr., sprints; Sara Bullock, sr., throws.
Top newcomers: Jacob Witcraft, soph., sprints/ md; Justin Allen, fresh., discus/sprints; Ashley Ruen, fresh., hurdles/sprints; Brianna Montgomery, fresh., md.
Outlook: Numbers are up at Clark Fork. Klontz was lone state qualifier, finishing fourth in the shot put. Ross and Hanna hope to qualify a handful to state this year.
Falls Christian Eagles
Coach: Ivan Benson
Top returners: Aaron Moate, sr., hurdles/ 800/relays; Aaron Burns, sr., sprints; Drew Baker, jr., distances; Chad Wild, jr., jumps/relays; Clint Griffin, soph., sprinter; Meghann Jenkins, sr., hurdles/sprints; Melanie Johnson, jr., jumps/ sprints; Stephanie Jenkins, soph., discus/md.
Top newcomers: Eric Willard, sr., distances; Jake Alger, soph., distances; Mike Anderson, soph., distances; Charlie Dowers, soph., sprints; Ben Danforth, fresh., sprints; Hannah Horton, sr., throws; Bonnie Miles, soph., distances.
Outlook: Turnout is more than double a year ago. Benson is blessed with several talented athletes who should challenge for state berths.
Kootenai Warriors
Coach: Scott Shafer
Top returners: Annie Goodson, sr., sprints/hj; Jamie Bornitz, sr., throws; Shenelle Kraack, jr., hurdles; Bonnie Dohrman, jr., sprints; Scott Johns, jr., long jump; Jeremy Prickett, sr., throws; Chris Hill, sr., throws; Randy Reinhofer, sr., high jump; Brad Brede, sr., distances; Dallas Passow, sr., distances; Joel Sturgill, sr., throws.
Top newcomers: None at this time.
Outlook: Goodson, Bornitz, Dohrman and Johns will carry the Warriors colors. Goodson and Bornitz should finish their fine careers by collecting gold and assorted other medals at state. Others could surprise.
A-3 INDEPENDENT
Wallace Miners
Coach: Dave Rounds
Top returners: Marty Pecor, sr., throws; Chris Carver, sr., sprints/relays; Craig Zanetti, soph., sprints/jumps; Zach Penney, soph., sprints/relays; Kyle Stein, soph., distances; Sheila Karst, sr., jumps; Rachel Pommerening, sr., jumps; Heather Branstetter, jr., sprints/hurdles; Heather Gregory, jr., high jump; Amy McCluskey, soph., distances.
Top newcomers: Jake Sprute, jr., sprints/relays; Tony Caron, fresh., sprints/relays; Gion Ghigleri, soph., sprints/jumps; Jake Johnson, fresh., hurdles; Lindsay Carrico, soph., sprints/jumps; Stephanie Lavigne, fresh., hurdles/jumps.
Outlook: Very optimistic. The Miners must go head to head with talented athletes from District II for state berths, but Wallace, which qualified just one to state last year, should send a half-dozen or more this year.
ATHLETES TO WATCH Brenda Nipp, senior, sprints/relays, Coeur d’Alene Annie Goodson, senior, high jump/sprints, Kootenai Caleb Bowman, senior, sprints, Sandpoint Rick McCrery, senior, sprints/jumps, Lewiston Rachel Drury, senior, pole vault, Moscow Nicole Maloney, junior, distances/pole vault, Sandpoint Jennifer Swanstrom, senior, sprints/relays, Post Falls Janee Andre, sophomore, sprints/jumps, Coeur d’Alene Charlie Miller, junior, distances, Lake City Shasta Cornett, senior, pole vault, Post Falls