Bonners Ferry Badgers set sights on XC season

Paul Bonnell “is thrilled” about this fall’s cross country season, which opened Saturday with the annual Bonners Ferry home meet.

That’s because in his eight years of coaching the Badgers, Bonnell has a record turnout this fall of more than 30 runners with solid girls’ and boys’ varsity squads and full junior varsity teams.

 “We also have a lot of beginners,” he said. “We are picking up kids who ran before and who are coming back. We’ve got a great group.”

Returning lettermen for the boys include senior Dylan Sweeney, juniors Reid Boorman and Nathan Grow and sophomores Micah Krmpotich and Zach Hammond. All helped the team to last year’s sixth-place finish at state.

Sweeney and Boorman will be captains for the boys’ team.

Sweeney was a state medal winner last year and is coming off a serious summer of training. He has run 8 to 15 miles daily since mid-June and competed in this summer’s Coeur d’Alene Triathlon, where he took second in his age group.

Senior newcomer David Sullivan is enthusiastic about running, Bonnell said. Also returning will be senior Chris Wright, who took off his junior year.

Junior returnee includes Robert Lundgren while newcomers are Nick Ege, Dustin Koehler, who is staying fit for wrestling, Marr Shryock and Coe Watts.

Sophomore newcomers include Mitch Skjeveland and Zane Tye.

Freshmen include Jared Lynse-Ellis, Tyson Boorman and Alec Perkins.

For the girls, senior Erin Hiatt will lead the Lady Badgers. Other returning letter winners are juniors Amy Elliott, Alicia Burnham and Lorena LaBarbera and sophomore Katy Hiatt. They were members of last year’s team, which took fifth at the state meet.

Erin Hiatt and LaBarbera will serve as captains for the girls.

Erin Hiatt placed third at districts last year and as a sophomore was part of the Lady Badgers’ second-place state finishers.

Senior Aimee McLeish is returning after taking off her junior year.

“She brings experience and dedication,” Bonnell said.

Junior newcomers include Rachel Tye and Crystal Pamplin, while junior Martina Wright is returning after taking off during her sophomore year.

New sophomore runners are Joy Hosterman and Kara Burnham, while returnees include Brooklyn Wilson and Katrina Svec.

Freshmen Aimee Sayers and Hannah Kelso participated in the Boundary County Middle School cross country program and were among many on the team who attended running camp this summer.

Although Bonnell has somewhat of a young team, he says they are enthusiastic.

“What I love about coaching cross country is seeing young people grow individually and as a team,” he said. “They grow in racing skill and strategy, work ethic, running technique, personal endurance and team spirit.”

“Each of these runners is poised to achieve, provided he or she works hard,” Bonnell continued.

“Esprit de corps and team enthusiasm and encouragement will be the key to our success.”

Assisted coaches are Mike Tymrak and Jennifer Borg.

Bonners Ferrry High Sschool Cross Country Team.

Seniors

    Erin Hiatt: Returning  — on a second at state team sophomore year, third individual in districts country last year, one of the girls' captains.

    Aimee McLeish: Returning from her sophomore year, brings experience and dedication.

    David Sullivan: New, enthusiastic about running.

    Dylan Sweeney: State medalist in cross country last year, coming off a serious summer of training, one of the boys' captains.

    Chris Wright: Returning from his sophomore year, brings several years of experience, went to running camp.

Juniors

    Amy Elliott (returning, went to running camp, part of 5th at State finish last year)

    Lorena LaBarbera: Returning, went to running camp, one of the Girls' captains)

    Rachel Tye: New, super-positive, went to running camp.

    Alicia Burnham: Number 3, returning from last year's fifth at state team.

    Crystal Pamplin: New, excited about growing as a runner.

    Martina Wright: Returning from her freshman year, positive attitude.

    Reid Boorman: Returning, helped secure sixth finish at state last year, one of the boys' captains.

    Nick Ege: New, positive and hard-working.

    Dustin Koehler: New, staying fit for wrestling season.

    Robert Lundgren: Returning, now healthy.

    Matt Shryock: New, a welcome addition, positive attitude.

    Nathan Grow: Returning, brings several years of experience.

    Coe Watts: New, determined and excited about growing as a runner.

Sophomores

    Katy Hiatt: Returning, part of the varsity crew from last year's team, ran all summer.

    Joy Hosterman:  New, eager to learn about cross country.

    Kara Burnham: New, naturally talented runner.

    Brooklyn Wilson: Returning, encouraging.

    Katrina Svec: Returning, stepping up to the next level.

    Mitch Skjeveland: New, brings considerable work ethic and determination.

    Zach Hammond: Went to running camp, focused, part of last year's varsity state crew.

    Micah Krmpotich: Went to running camp, disciplined, and race savvy.

    Zane Tye: New, ready to learn about cross country.

Freshmen

    Aimee Sayers: Went to running camp, coming from middle school cross country; ready to take on high school.

    Hannah Kelso: Went to running camp, stepping up to high school cross country from middle school cross country.

    Jared Lynse-Ellis: Went to running camp, solid and hard-working.

    Tyson Boorman: Coming from middle school cross country, competitive.

    Alec Perkins: New and determined, great attitude.

    “As you can see, I have a young and enthusiastic crew, said Coach Paul Bonnell.  “What I love about coaching cross country is seeing young people grow — individually and as a team. 

    “They grow in racing skill and strategy, work ethic, running technique, personal endurance, and team spirit. Each one of these runners is poised to achieve, provided he/she works hard. Esprit de corps and team enthusiasm and encouragement will be key to our success. We welcome any new runners to come find out what cross country is all about.”