Wrap-up of cross-country State and Districts:

The Bonners Ferry High School cross country boys team achieved a fourth place finish and trophy at the State meet in Soda Springs Saturday. Bonners Ferry girls were eighth.

The story begins at the District I-II, 3A championships at Twin Lakes.

In cross-country, which has no play-offs games or brackets, teams must qualify in one race at the District level.

Based on the number of complete teams, two would advance to state. Additionally, the top 10individual boys would advance, regardless of team placement.

Led by district champion Micah Krmpotich, and second and 10th place finishes by Jacob Callister and Benny Watt, the Badger boys easily earned their state berth.

“It was key to put three in the top 10, but it was a team effort,” said coach Paul Bonnell.

“Priest River put three there as well, but still came up third. It was the power of the pack—Tyson Boorman, Nick Ege, and Bradley Thompson coming in 11, 12, and 13 — that made it.”

Reid Boorman suffered from some abdominal cramping during the district race but a week later proved his senior experience.

In the boys JV, the Badgers displayed the depth that has propelled them forward all season.

“Every one of our young men ran well and ran personal bests,” said Bonnell.  “They showed the improvement that comes with hard work over the course of a whole season.”

From Mat Shryock's gutsy JV win to Robert Lundgren's run through the pain to Jared Lysne's calculated battle and Nathan Grow's kick finish, they did well, all of them — Perkins, Perez, Watts, Alverez. Adam Alverez P.R.'ed by over 30 seconds and is planning on training through for track.”

It was the depth of the Bonners Ferry boys that helped produce the State trophy.

“In the State Race, the boys knew it would come down to individual commitment to team in order to trophy,” said Bonnell. 

“Indeed, the Badgers narrowly edged Buhl—123 to 124, had it gone to a tie and the sixth runner, Ege was there, well ahead of their sixth.”

Krmpotich placed seventh in the highly competitive race.

“He knew he wanted a top 10 finish and went for it,” said Bonnell.

In districts and state, Krmpotich ran fluidly and smoothly.

Despite rolling his ankle early on the rocky Soda Springs course, Callister pushed through, knowing that every place, every point would count. Benny Watt followed right behind, and both senior Reid Boorman and freshman Bradley Thompson were in sight of Callister and Watt.

 In the end, it came down to strong finishes that swung the points in favor of the Badgers.

“It's the best a Badger team has placed since Forest Braden's crew was here,” said Bonnell. “These guys ran well. And with Tyson Bradley, Micah, and Jacob returning, we have some solid State experience to develop for next season.”

In the girls District race, the Badgers knew that it would be a tight battle with Priest River for second place and advancement to the state race.

Solid racing paid off, however, as Aimee Sayers and Alicia Burnham placed seventh and ninth, respectively.

“They would have qualified as individuals, a respectable feat,” said Bonnell.

 As it was, seniors Lorena LaBarbera and Sara Owinyo were not far behind, and Katy Hiatt, despite a nagging hamstring injury, ran a tenacious race. Jessica Merz and Sally Balcaen contributed solidly to the varsity effort as well.

In the girls JV , Nonnie Stofiel, Crystal Pamplin, Brook Wilson, and Katrina Svec ran with the goal of being on what they hoped was the state travel team.

“And they ran well proving what they have learned this season, which was the first for a couple of them,” Bonnell said.

With Owinyo missing due to a schedule conflict with Junior Miss/Distinguished Women of America, it was Stofiel who joined the state team.

At Soda Springs, the girls knew the field would be challenging and deep.

“It's the nature of State,” said Bonnell.

The Badger girls rose to the challenge of "pack placement," of running for points.

“The course is not conducive to fast times but it's a great course for runners to show what they know,” Bonnell said.

For seniors Burnham and LaBarbera, this was commitment. Burnham and Sayers kept moving toward the front, key to the girls eighth place finish, an improvement over last year.

Hiatt again ran with tenacity, and Merz, Balcaen, and Stofiel with a wise use of course features.

“They planned to leave it all on the course, and they did. And at the end, I heard Sally, Nonnie, and Aimee talking about next year,” said Bonnell.