Sandpoint Cross Country Completes Season at State Championships

10/27/2018

The State Cross Country Championships were run in the Lewiston Orchards this past Saturday, and Sandpoint had both their girls and boys teams on the line. The race saw the most competitive field in 4A State history. The 5K races were exciting to watch and saw 5 SHS runners set personal records while the boys placed 9th and the girls 10th.

The boys race was made up of 15 full teams, and had 115 runners in the race. Nikolai Braedt, Jett Lucas and Ephriam Weisz took out in the front pack, with Seth Graham, Kieran Wilder, Brady Nelsen and Gabe Merithew about 8-10 seconds back in a fast first mile that saw the leaders go through in about 4:58. Halfway through the race, the front pack split with Nik giving chase to the top 20 and coming up just short of State Medalist in 23rd place at 16:14. He set the Sophomore School Record previously held by Sam Levora at 16:18. Sophomore Jett Lucas was close behind, running a 16:25 in 31st place. Ephriam Weisz ran a 16:49, Kieran Wilder moved up to 20th on the all time list with a 16:50, Brady Nelsen ran a 16:56, Seth Graham ran a 16:57 to move to #24 on the All-Time list, and Gabe Merithew ran a 17:11. The boys finish the season with all 7 runners on the schools top 25 All-Time list, and set the school pack time record with a 16:32 for the top 5 runners. The previous team pack record was 16:51 set in 2014, and that team placed 3rd in the State. "This was the strongest 4A State field we've seen since we've been coaching. With 4 schools petitioning from 5A to 4A in the past year, as well as Idaho Falls going from 2 5A schools to 3 4A schools, we are in a great division that will require a step up in competition. It's an exciting place to be right now."

The girls race was equally competitive with 116 racers, with Sandpoint placing 10th behind their strong signature pack. For the first time this season, Paige Davidson led the team at the finish with a 20:16 in 37th place. Close behind was teammate Chloe Braedt in 20:17. Niah Brass ran a 20:36, Corina Wallace a 21:03, Bionce Vincent a 21:11, Mesa Keating a PR 21:16, and Megan Oulman a PR of 21:35. "We had 6 first time State XC Meet competitors and one person with State race experience going in to the State Meet - Niah Brass, running her 4th State Cross Country Meet. Our Girls Team ran as a powerful pack all season and continued in that fashion at what turned out to be the fastest and largest 4A girls race in history to cap the season. 5 of these 7 will be back next year with a year of experience, training and racing on their side. The leadership of Girls Team Captains Chloe Braedt and Niah Brass was outstanding in leading the girls team to a successful season!"

"We are incredibly proud of the way both teams performed not just at State, but over the entire season. They are a dedicated group that continually work incredibly hard, no matter the season, and deliver great results. They represent their school and this community with pride. It was a great season." Over the summer both teams set a list of goals. The girls wanted both JV and Varsity District Team Champions (which they did), 9 under Varsity Standard of 23:30 (achieved 10), 3 District Medalists (achieved 4), and the top 5 under 22 minutes (they got all 7). The boys wanted 16 under the Varsity Standard of 19:30 (they got 20), 10 under 18:00 (they got 12), 6 under 17:00 (they got 7), Varsity and JV District Team Champions (which they did), and to make a run at a State Trophy.

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