Runners return to roots
January 17, 2013
Badger senior Collin Cossairt crosses the finish line at the Coeur d'Alene cross country meet Saturday.
Karen Perkins photos
Cross country made a turn back to its roots on Saturday, September 14, at the Hayden Canyon Course in Coeur d’Alene. The meet planners rejected the parks and golf courses that have become the sport’s norm and instead chose a very hilly course that wove through the woods and trails on a hot morning that saw the Badgers face all IML teams together for the first time.

In the Girls JV race, sophomores Amanda Bauer and Klarity Rice teamed up for times of 29:26 and 29:53 respectively, hanging together for the majority of the race. Coach Catherine Delsalle enjoyed seeing the two girls stick with and challenge each other.

Senior Collin Cossairt, running the boys JV race after missing Silverwood, won the meet easily coming in at 18:41. Also competing, Nolan Stidham posted a 20:38, Caleb Madson a 22:16, and Alex Urbaniak finished in 24:27.

Jordan Merz, follwed closely by Hannah Lysne.
Lady Badgers Jordan Merz and Hannah Lysne pushed each other to come in at 27:01 and 27:05 respectively. Cheyanne White also posted a 29:04.

Coach Mike Tymrak hopes that by the district meet on October 24th at Mirror Lake Golf Course, the girls will be able to “put all the pieces together and be competitive within the district.”

The boys varsity meets continue to be fleeting and Bagers Luke Reoch and Jacob Perkins continue to match the pace. Luke Reoch finished the hilly 5k course in 18:00 and Jacob Perkins came in right behind at 18:10. Reoch and Perkins finished 4th and 5th respectively in the B division.

Tucker Cavender was the third Badger runner to come in, posting a 20:29. Sophomores Louis Balcaen and Alva Swanson hung together, posting 20:45 and 20:58 respectively. Freshman Eric Ellis in his first Varsity race came in at 21:07. Brad Thompson also competed, coming in at 22:18. Sam Levora of Sandpoint continues to impress, winning with a dominant 16:18 and beating the next closest runner by 30 seconds.

Had this meet been districts, the Badgers would have secured a trip to state, but the Badger coaching staff emphasized the need to close the gap.

“We let a lot of Timberlake runners between our second and third guys,” said Coach Tymrak.

In the IML, Timberlake scored 49 points, Bonners Ferry 93, Priest River 135, and Kellogg 205. In cross country, points are based on place, first place being worth 1 point, second 2 points, and so on. The lower the score the better. The Badger boys look forward to having Collin Cossairt back this weekend at Plantes Ferry to help lower that score.

“He’s an important part of our team,” said boys’ captain Brad Thompson.

The Badgers next meet will be at the Erik Anderson Meet at Plantes Ferry, Spokane with the Middle School Cross Country team and Coach Melody Braden on Saturday, September 21. Middle School races begin at 9:30am and High School races begin at 10:15am.