Terrifying Tigers

Brian Kluss believes his Timberlake High boys track team couldn’t have performed much better Saturday.

Perhaps the only way the Tigers can top what they did to the 3A District I field is to repeat as state champions.

The Tigers did no wrong as they corralled a fourth consecutive district title in overwhelming fashion. Timberlake tallied 203 points, nearly three times the total of runner-up Bonners Ferry (58).

“I don’t think we could have had it any better,” Kluss said.

How dominating were the Tigers? This is essentially the same team that scored 140 points at district last year.

The Tigers won six of seven races and all three field events to go with the three wins in four events on Friday in the two-day meet.

“They impressed me. They had a great two days,” Kluss said. “We had some great times. They’ll be seeded very well (at state). They should be pleased with themselves. We’ll have at least one person in every event. Now we’ve got to get some rest and get a few kids healed up before state.”

The top three individuals and winning relays advance to state, Thursday through Saturday at Boise State University.

At the front of the Tigers’ pack was junior sprinter Nick Puckett, who broke a meet record in the 200 meters and tied a record in the 100 while anchoring the winning 400 and 1,600 relays.

Puckett breezed to a time of 22.3 seconds in the 200, breaking a 1985 record set by Tony Nagel of Post Falls (22.7). That same year, Nagel had a time of 10.9 in the 100, which Puckett matched.

In the 400 relay, Puckett got a measure of redemption. Last year, Puckett dropped the baton. He teamed with Josh Goodman, Chris Anderson and Felix Schreier as they won in a time of 44.6.

“He overcame a demon after dropping the baton last year,” Kluss said. “He’s a quality, quality kid.”

Puckett, Anderson, Levi Powers and Casey Denton combined in a time of 3:30.0 in the 1,600 relay.

The Tigers’ long-distance ace, senior Frank Lagrimanta, cruised to victory in the 1,600 (4:29.8) to go with his win Friday in the 3,200 and his anchoring leg in the winning medley. Lagrimanta will be out to defend state titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 and help the medley repeat.

Other multiple Timberlake winners were: Powers in the triple jump (42-11) and 300 hurdles (40.9), and John Macklin in the 110 hurdles (16.0) and pole vault (12-6). Denton, who ran on two relays, also won the 400 (51.4).

Among girls, Bonners Ferry made it two straight district titles as the Badgers posted 128 points to outdistance runner-up Timberlake by 22 points.

Senior Casey Hampton and junior Samantha Hiatt were double winners for the Badgers. Hampton won in the 800 (2:29.5) and 1,600 (5:54.9) while Hiatt swept the hurdles, taking the 100 in 16.5 and the 300 in 48.7.

BF’s Kaitie Poston also won the shot put (44-2) to go with her win in the discus Friday.

Priest River junior Lacy Hopkins was involved in three victories – two by herself and with a relay. She also ran on the winning medley Friday.

Hopkins set a meet record in the 400, clocking 58.6 to eclipse the 59.5 time of former teammate AshLee Rey in 2005. Hopkins also won the 200 (26.5).

She teamed with Tabitha Clark, Tori Paris and Keisha Miller as they won the 1,600 relay (4:15.0).

•In the 1A Region I meet at Kamiah, the Kootenai boys captured a team title with 85 points to knock off defending champ Nezperce (74).

Among girls, Prairie posted 123 points while Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy was second with 85.

Mark Pankratz and Cody Parker led Kootenai. Pankratz won in the 110 hurdles (16.1) and Parker won the pole vault with a leap of 11-6.

Other area boys winners were: Tom Norris of Wallace in the triple jump (40-9 1/2), Mark Weller of CCA in the 400 (51.7) and Seth Gray of Mullan in the 100 (11.5).

Weller also took second in the 100 and 200.

Leading the CCA girls was the 800 relay of Dominique Billingslea, Heidi Ronningen, Libby Redlin and Danika Hjeltness). They won in a time of 1:50.6.

Sabrina Ewing of CCA also won the triple jump (32-7 1/4).

Other area girls winners were: Hannah Valerio of Mullan in the 800 (2:25.7); Bailey Hewitt of Clark Fork in the 300 hurdles (48.5); Kendra Willms of Kootenai in the pole vault (9-0); and Rian Miller of Lakeside in the discus (111-4).