Bonners Ferry makes run at cross country success
—Photo by JUDD WILSON/HAGADONE NEWS NETWORK Bonners Ferry cross country team members join competitors as they wait for the start of a recent cross country event.
—Courtesy photo Badger cross country members during their meet at Hayden Canyon CDA.
—Photo by JUDD WILSON/HAGADONE NEWS NETWORK Bonners Ferry cross country team members join competitors as they wait for the start of a recent cross country event.
-- Photo by SARAH JENKINS Newly decorated lockers line the halls at BFHS. All 130 athletes were welcomed back to school with each sport represented. Badger cheerleading squad with assistance from Stephanie Sims hope to raise the level of school spirit.
-- Courtesy photo BFHS cheer team pose with Chief Meterologist Tom Sherry during Tom's Tailgate.
-- Photo by SARAH JENKINS BFHS varsity cheerleaders line up next to BFHS varsity football during the National Athemn during the Freeman game.
BONNERS FERRY — This year is the fourth consecutive year that Tyler Warner has been coaching the Badger cross country team. As a former Badger himself, and now teacher at BFHS, assuming the coach position from his high school coach seemed only natural.
“Coaching cross country allows me to to give back to a program that gave me a lot personally,” stated Warner.
Warner did not run at a collegiate level, although he continued to run in college just for the joy of running. Coaching allows him to work with some of the most interesting and fun kids in the community in a context other than teaching. Warner is assisted by Catherine DelSalle, and volunteer, Tess Rae.
Every year the goal for Warner is to get at least one full team to state, girls and boys. The main goal is to ensure that every athlete achieves their personal best time at least once this season.
One major obstacle the team must overcome is the Intermountain League is stacked with good cross country teams.
Timberlake has dominated for the last four years, and according to Warner, looks to do so again this year. Coeur d’Alene Charter just entered the Intermountain League and are also very strong. Last year against Priest River, the boys were only four points ahead to qualify for state. Injuries have interrupted the team progression so far, especially on the girls’ team.
A team that has many young runners that can really push hard at a fast pace when healthy, is their greatest asset.
According to Warner, Jordan Young, a junior, looks to be a top 20 finisher at state this year. Freshman, Austin Donn and Abigail Gorton have both become early contributors on the boys and girls varsity teams respectively. Samuel Gorton and Dawson Thomas have also stepped up greatly for the boys, while Ada Bonnell dedicated her summer to helping the girls this fall.
When asked to highlight a senior and why, Warner chose two seniors, Eric Ellis and Alex Urbaniak. The two were the first athletes that he has had all four years since being head coach.
The two have been in the cross country programs since middle school, both are six year runners as a result. They have been buddies since they were freshmen and both have grown as people, as well as runners. Alex made the jump to varsity this year, and Eric has become a leader for the boys team, and captain.