Dyck sidelined with injury; Willy first in triple jump

BOISE – One of the most storied high school athletic careers in Idaho history came to a tearful end Thursday.

And Amy Dyck’s tears weren’t for herself either. They were for her teammates on Sandpoint’s 400-meter relay.

Dyck had established a sizeable lead just 25 meters out of the blocks in a State 4A girls 100 preliminary heat when her left hamstring gave out at Boise State University’s Bronco Stadium. She crumpled to the track in pain and had to be helped off.

The Sandpoint senior won’t be able to defend her state titles in the 100 and 200 today. Neither will she anchor the 400 relay which was hoping to defend a state title.

For that Dyck allowed the most tears as she lay on her stomach with an ice bag taped to her leg.

“Not to sound stuck up or anything, but I’ve had my share of medals,” said Dyck, the two-time Gatorade Player of the Year for the state in volleyball. “That’s not why I run. The most disappointing part is I don’t get to share that with them. It feels like I’m letting them down.”

Dyck had had no previous problems with her left hamstring this spring. She had off-and-on twinges of pain in her right, though.

“It got really tight really fast and when I tried to put it down (her leg) it wouldn’t straighten out,” Dyck said. “It just gave out.”

About an hour earlier, Dyck stood on the awards stand to accept a medal for tying for second in the high jump. She didn’t start doing the event until late in the season. She cleared 5 feet, two inches short of the winning mark.

“I just wish I had started (jumping) earlier,” Dyck said after receiving her medal. “You can’t get too nervous because it’s you against yourself. Not bad for starting halfway through the season.”

It would prove to be her final state medal. About 90 minutes after her injury, Dyck was on crutches with her hamstring heavily taped. She doesn’t believe she blew it out. A trainer told her she suffered a severe strain.

Post Falls senior John Willy, meanwhile, finally found out what it’s like to be a state champion. He had to beat a teammate to do it, too.

Willy leaped 43 feet, 3 ¾ inches to take gold in the triple jump, slipping past Post Falls junior K.C. Billetz (42-11).

And Willy pulled off his personal best on his last jump – just moments after Billetz had jumped his personal best.

“I finally got gold,” Willy said. “It’s definitely been one of my goals to be a state champion. I just wanted to win. I really thought I could win. It’s just a great finish being a senior. It’s nice to cap things off this way.”

Billetz had no qualms finishing second – especially since the person who beat him is his friend.

“I wanted Willy to win anyways,” Billetz said. “We’re good friends and he’s a senior.”

Eric DeMers of Sandpoint completed a one-two-three sweep for North Idaho in the event.

Willy will compete in the long jump and anchor the 400 and 800 relays today. And if he doesn’t win another medal he can walk away from high school athletics with the feeling of accomplishment.

“I’d have to say I’m pretty satisfied,” Willy said. “Anything else will be gravy.”

Other medal 4A medal winners: Leslie Pulley of Post Falls, second in the girls pole vault (10-6); Casey Schooley of Post Falls, second in the boys pole vault (13-0); Kelsey Taylor of Moscow, second in the girls discus (119-1) and second in the shot put (37-11); Anna Taber of Post Falls, third in the girls discus (116-9); Charlie Hirning of Sandpoint, tied for second in the boys high jump (6-0); Cassie Burnett of Post Falls, fourth in the girls shot (35-9 ¾); and Mandi Richards of Moscow, fourth in the girls pole vault (9-6).