Bartlett battles for title
BOISE – A funny thing happened to Megan Bartlett on the final lap of the 3,200 meters.
While trying to just finish the race and go for a good time – as she put it – the Sandpoint sophomore captured a State 4A title as the 89th annual Idaho track and field championships began a three-day run Thursday at Boise State University’s Bronco Stadium.
Bartlett trailed Jordan Powell of Columbia for all but 50 meters before overtaking her with a few feet remaining. Bartlett won in a time of 11 minutes, 43.28 seconds – .27 ahead of Powell.
“I thought I could catch her, but I wasn’t really sure, so I was just going for time really,” Bartlett said. “I was really shocked more than anything.”
Bartlett decided to make a move with 200 meters remaining.
“It’s just something I do at the end of the (races) – give whatever I have left and go for time,” Bartlett said.
Bartlett didn’t have any idea she could win until there were 50 meters left.
“We were neck and neck and I was like, ‘Is she going to go for it, does she have anything left?’ ” Bartlett said. “I am so excited. That’s really my only words to describe it. I’m in shock, really.
“I went into the race looking at the times and I knew I could run with the (top-seeded) girl, but I wasn’t sure in the heat.”
Bartlett finished fifth in the race last year.
“I wanted to get the same place as last year or better. Obviously, I did better,” Bartlett said.
In general, North Idaho athletes have had better first days at state. Still, three other state titles were captured by Panhandle athletes.
The Lake City boys medley relay eked out gold in 5A; Bonners Ferry senior Kaitie Poston claimed her fourth title in the 3A girls shot put; and Kellogg junior Adam Furlin captured the 3A boys shot put.
Kyle Graves, Matt Olson, Logan Frederickson and John Coyle combined for LC to win the medley in a time of 3:32.44, just three-hundredths of a second ahead of Vallivue.
Coyle anchored, running the final 800 meters in 1:55.6. He had a 10-meter lead with 100 to go, but Vallivue’s Mike VerHagen closed quickly.
“I didn’t even know he was there until the last step or so,” Coyle said.
And with the crowd sitting on the opposite side of the finish area because a remodel project forced closure of the west side seating, Coyle didn’t hear the crowd cheering on VerHagen.
“They’re over there so they’re a little harder to hear,” Coyle said, pointing to the east bleachers.
Graves and Olson were regulars on the medley but Coyle and Frederickson joined them at the Region I meet only last week. They ran nearly 5 seconds faster than last week.
“It didn’t feel too bad until the last 50 meters, which usually (feels like) 350 meters,” Coyle said. “The last 50 was a little tough, but I felt pretty relaxed.”
Frederickson, who ran the third leg, turned his 400 split in 50.3 seconds. He just wanted to be within striking distance of the leaders when he gave the baton to Coyle.
“I made up three places,” Frederickson said. “It’s weird because I’m not very good at the 400, but I did well (today). I knew we could do it. But actually doing it is really fun and amazing.”
LC senior Brenna Lawson was ranked No. 1 among 5A pole vaulters most of the season. She wanted nothing less than a state title.
She missed on her first attempt at 10 feet, her opening height, but cleared it on her second attempt. She exited the meet after three misses at 10-6 and finished fifth.
“I think I overthought,” Lawson said. “I felt really rushed. I’m very disappointed.”
Poston’s throws were consistent – from 41-9 to her winning throw of 43-5. Sara Campbell of Kellogg was second (35-10 1/2) and Amber Fuller of St. Maries took fourth (33-9 1/2).
“I’m happy that I won, but I’m not very happy with the (distance),” Poston said. “I could have done better.”
It’s been a season in which Poston has been preoccupied with trying to improve her college-entrance test scores. She has an offer from Brigham Young University, but it depends on her meeting academic eligibility standards. She’s commuted to classes in Post Falls and missed several practices and a couple of meets.
Poston was preparing to make her second throw when a quick rain burst cooled the sizzling temperature.
“I was scared because I thought I was going to slip and hurt myself,” Poston said.
Just as she exploded through the throw, grunting as she released it, the rain started falling.
Furlin, third in the shot last year, won with a toss of 50-1 3/4.
Levi Powers of Timberlake, a winner last year in the triple jump, took second with a personal-best of 43-5 1/4. It came on his final attempt.
Other medal winners were: 5A, Cody Hays of Lewiston took second in the discus (158-9) and shot put (53-7 1/4); Carson York of LC was third in the shot (53-5 3/4); Anna Stone of Coeur d’Alene was third in the 3,200 (11:10.45); and Marissa Armour of CdA was fifth in the discus (107-10). 4A, Ariel Johnson of Moscow was second in the pole vault (10-0); Paul Morgan of Moscow was second in the shot (53-10 3/4); Brooke DeMers of Sandpoint was third in the high jump (5-2); Kristine Leonard of Lakeland was third in the discus (113-4) and fourth in the shot (37-8); Will Andrews of Sandpoint was fourth in the discus (149-7); the Lakeland girls medley was fourth (1:53.82); and Jeremy Klas of Moscow was fourth in the pole vault (13-0). 1A, Kendra Willms of Kootenai was second in the high jump (4-10) and Rian Miller of Lakeside was fifth in the discus (102-2).