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The state meets return to North Idaho this year.

State will be held Oct. 28 at Hells Gate State Park in Lewiston. It’s the first time the meets have been held there since 1999.

“The top two 5A Region I, 4A Region I and 3A District I boys and girls teams advance to state along with the top one-third individuals.

“Lake City’s boys and girls are the defending 5A Region I champs; Moscow’s boys are the defending 4A Region I champs; and Bonners Ferry’s girls and Timberlake’s boys are the defending 3A District champs. Post Falls’ girls captured the 4A Region I title last year, but Post Falls has moved up to 5A this year.

“Senior Frank Lagrimanta of Timberlake is the defending 3A state champ. CdA senior Michael Armon, who won the 5A state title as a sophomore, returns after missing his junior year with a major knee injury. Angie Whalen of Post Falls was third at state as a freshman and senior Whitney Payment of Priest River and CdA senior Anna Stone also were third in their divisions.

“Lake City’s boys, Sandpoint’s girls and Timberlake’s boys figure to have the best chances of area teams of challenging for state titles.

Teams to beat

LC’s boys were ranked No. 1 in 5A after the track season. They slipped to No. 4 in the first regular-season rankings last week. Borah, Mountain View and defending state champ Boise were ranked ahead of the Timberwolves.

LC got a look at top-ranked Borah last Saturday at the Coaster Cross meet at Silverwood. Borah sprinted away from the T-Wolves and the field.

“They looked good, no doubt about it,” LC coach Justin Taylor said. “Their pack time is very strong. It’s better than Boise’s pack time last year.”

A freshman, C.J. Helbling, has paced LC through the first two meets. Also jockeying for a spot in LC’s top five are seniors Nic Cotton and Colin Livingston, juniors John Coyle, Sam Hoggat and Gabe Downey and sophomore Logan Frederickson.

“Sandpoint’s girls took third at state last year, and the Bulldogs return their team intact. They finished second behind North Central at the Coaster Cross and 10 points ahead of 5A Borah. They figure to challenge 4A power Bishop Kelly.

“The girls are phenomenal,” said first-year coach and former Sandpoint runner Matt Brass. “We started a pretty aggressive summer program. Now we’re able to work on speed and strength because they have their endurance built up.”

A crowded field

Armon is one of six who should challenge for a 5A state title.

The others are: defending champ Sawyer Bosch of Borah; teammate Sean Huey; Taylor Farnsworth of Highland; and Nick Bolinder and Bryant Denson of Boise.

Armon did some cross-training this summer to give his surgically repaired knee a break from road miles. He did the Coeur d’Alene Triathlon, so he added swimming and cycling to his training regime.

“My legs are feeling pretty fresh,” Armon said. “I think it’s going to pay off in the long run.”