Year ranks as one of the best for Panhandle

The 2005-06 school year ranks as the best since the millennial turn of the calendar, considering all the team trophies and individual accomplishments.

It definitely has a spot in my top three in the past two decades.

What stops me short of saying it was the best since I came on the scene in 1984 is the fact no area football or boys basketball teams brought home a state championship. But a couple came close.

And at least one football team could be hoisting a state title banner this fall. But that’s something to write and talk about next year and only takes away space from the countless success stories from this season.

What qualifies this year as one I will never forget has nothing to do with winning and everything to do with overcoming a life-altering hurdle.

In a name, Michael Armon. The Coeur d’Alene junior – who suffered major knee injuries last summer and was told by his doctors that he would never run competitively again – proved them wrong this spring.

He returned in late April, qualifying for the State 5A meet, held four weeks later, in the 3,200 and 1,600 – events he won as a sophomore. He finished second and third, respectively, in the state races, and he left smiling.

“I was very satisfied,” Armon said. “I’m not even supposed to have a medal from state, according to my doctors. A second and a third … not too shabby.”

Armon plans to build up his running base this summer. He’ll be out to regain state titles in cross country and track next year.

“I think this is a very good indicator that Michael Armon is ready to kick butt next year,” Armon said.

Armon should know.

• By my count, seven state titles ended up in our region and eight teams were runners-up. The total trophy haul was 33.

Now here’s a brief look at several – but not all – of the top feats this year.

Fall: Moscow’s volleyball team cruised to a 29-0 record and a State 4A title, while St. Maries revived memories of its once-dominant days in the 3A ranks by finishing runner-up.

Timberlake junior Frank Lagrimanta captured the State 3A title in cross country as he led the Tigers to second.

In soccer, the Lakeland girls, in their first trip to state, finished second in the 4A tourney, falling 2-1 in overtime to Century. Sandpoint took second in the 4A boys tourney.

In football, Lake City and Sandpoint were 5A and 4A semifinalists.

Winter: In girls basketball, Coeur d’Alene (5A), Moscow (4A), Kellogg (3A) and Wallace (2A) each took second at state. All but Wallace’s runner-up finish were unexpected.

With the nucleus of its teams returning, Coeur d’Alene, Kellogg and Wallace could challenge for state titles next year.

In boys basketball, Lewiston (5A) and Moscow (4A) took home third-place trophies from state.

Spring: The largest trophy haul came in track.

The Kootenai girls, led by four-year standout Darcy Collins, captured a fifth straight State 1A title.

Timberlake’s boys captured a second State 3A title in three years. Lagrimanta led the way by winning individual titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 and anchoring the winning medley relay.

Moscow’s girls, led by three-sport standout Kelsey Taylor, captured the State 4A championship, finishing four points ahead of runner-up Post Falls.

Lewiston’s boys were second in 5A, just 1.5 points behind three-time state champ Borah.

In softball, Coeur d’Alene shook that heavy monkey off its back in the form of four straight state title appearances without a championship when the Vikings topped Lake City 3-0 in an all-CdA final.

And in baseball, Lewiston (5A) and Sandpoint (4A) earned state titles.

• As I’ve done in recent years, there are a couple of handfuls of multiple-sport seniors we must acknowledge because of their ability to juggle life, academics and athletics.

So in no particular order, a salute to: Taylor; Collins; Kayla Stiegemeier of Lakeland; Adam Hall of Bonners Ferry; Jenna Robinson of St. Maries; Ashleigh Mire of Sandpoint; Jake Hall of Coeur d’Alene; Mike Vickhammer of Lake City; Nick Mehalechko of Post Falls; Meredith Dolny of Moscow; Heather Helmhout of CdA; Ben Turner of Bonners Ferry; Jackie Lenz of CdA; Sheldon Cramer of Sandpoint; Trevor Leaf of CdA; Matt Rice of Bonners Ferry; and Brigitte Boucher of Lakeland.