Sandpoint an up and running team

Three years ago, the Sandpoint High girls cross country program was barely on the 4A state map.

The Bulldogs finished dead last, 13th out of 13 teams. Two years ago, they jumped to third. Then last year, after finishing 91 points behind state power Bishop Kelly the year before, Sandpoint took second, just 12 out of first.

With the progression the Bulldogs have made, one would think this is the year they’ll win a state championship for the first time since 2002.

The only problem is Bishop Kelly, which has won four straight state titles and five of the last six, returns its team intact. In the latest individual state rankings, five BK runners are ranked in the top 12.

Sandpoint isn’t conceding anything at this point.

“I hate doing predictions for what that sets you up for, but our top four runners are stronger than our top four from last year,” Sandpoint coach Matt Brass said. “I see our team eight to 10 points stronger (on a state level) than last year.”

There was just a 12-point gap between Sandpoint and BK last year.

Megan Bartlett and the Vardell twins – Kat and Vicky – were the thrust behind the Bulldogs’ state runner-up finish a year ago as sophomores. Bartlett took second while Kat was sixth and Vicky was eighth. Brass sees senior Rebecca Johnson, 66th last year at state, breaking into the top 20.

“We’ve got the girls to at least get second again,” Brass said. “The big thing for us is finding a fifth girl (the top five out of seven score at state).”

Bartlett has climbed the individual ladder at state as well. She took fourth as a freshman before moving up to second last year. Both times, Bethany McInturff of Century won.

McInturff, a senior, will be seeking her third straight. But Bartlett, who was 19 seconds behind her as a freshman and 15 seconds off her pace last year, plans to make McInturff earn it.

“I think I’m much improved over last year,” Bartlett said.

Bartlett points to her time at the Coaster Cross meet held last Saturday at Silverwood as evidence of improvement. Her time last year at the meet was 19 minutes, 38 seconds. This year she finished in 19:03.

Bartlett points to running more miles this summer as the primary reason for the improvement.

“Last year I ran about 100 miles, if that, and this year I had a little over 200,” she said. “It felt good not coming into the season tired and feeling like you’re starting from scratch. I was ready to go when the season started.”

Brass could tell, too.

“She ran real well at Silverwood,” Brass said. “She’s got the ability (to win state). But she’s got a chore for herself. She’s had a change in her inner dedication. She’s much more dedicated. I’m hoping this will be her breakout season.”

Bartlett took a big step toward having a big year when she captured a state title in the 3,200 meters last spring.

What will it take to win gold this fall?

“I’m definitely going to have to take it up a notch,” Bartlett said. “I’m giving more effort at practice and working a lot harder. I want a PR (personal best) and a state title.”

That’s the goal for the team as well.

“Our girls are definitely running well,” Bartlett said. “At our (team) cross country camp we went over our goals and all the girls said they want to win a state title. I definitely think it’s obtainable.”