Track team charges ahead as snow melts

—Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Freshman, Hunter Smith, and Senior Captain, Natasha Webster power down the track during last Thursday’s track practice.

—Photo by MANDI BATEMAN As the last of the snow finally melts away, the track team takes their practice back outside.

by Mandi Bateman Staff Writer
| April 6, 2017 1:00 AM

Photo by MANDI BATEMAN As the last of the snow finally melts away, the track team takes their practice back outside.

BONNERS FERRY — The Bonners Ferry High School Track team had a frustrating start to the season with the only two home meets being moved or cancelled due to snow still covering the track. Despite that, the season looks promising as the team is now able to take to the track and train for upcoming competitions.

Head coach, Travis Hinthorn, coached the team for 13 years, but has been away for the last four. He is back with a new team of assistant coaches: Paul Bonnell, Any Rice, Shasta Baisden, Ed DePriest, Jasmine Robertson, Ben Kaiser, Teresa Rae, and Rock Stapley. This year the High School and Middle School will be working together. Hinthorn says that he is happy to back and working with both of them.

“Now that the weather is good and the kids are done with other activities, we can be more focused on track,” says Hinthorn. Over the years, the number of participants in track has dropped from around 80 to approximately 45. Hinthorn says they are excited about the kids they have this year and their goal for the future is to get more students involved.

The coaching team’s enthusiasm was evident as Assistant Coach, Paul Bonnell, jumped onto the track during practice, sprinting with the students and encouraging them, during last Thursday’s practice.

The Bonners Ferry High School track team will compete next Saturday, April 8, at St. Maries High School at 10 a.m.