Last year district champs: Badger track teams prep for seasons
BONNERS FERRY — Badger boys and girls track teams are warming up for the season after last year’s district wins.
The boys won districts last year, ending Timberlake’s 17-year run as district champs. The girls team has won top honors in the league the last two seasons and won districts last year, stopping Timberlake's 11-year run as district champs. Last season, the Badgers sent 29 athletes to state, finishing with a state champion and 12 placers. The boys placed fifth and the girls placed sixth at state.
The teams attracted a combined 68 participants this year, head coach Travis Hinthorn is hopeful large numbers will lead to continued success.
Boys track
The boys track team had a lot of success last year.
Top returners:
• Junior Charles Henslee was state champ in the 1600 meter run as a sophomore last year.
• Senior Conner Alexander finished sixth in the 1600 last year.
Returning state participants:
• Seniors: Daniel Zech, pole vault; Noah Walker, sprints and relays; Levi Bonnell, hurdles.
• Juniors: Tully Reinhardt, sprints and relays; Josh Pinkerton, hurdles and relays; Walker Henslee, distance.
• Sophomores: Riley Petesch, hurdles and jumps.
“We lost a lot of speed to graduation last year but we are excited about these returners and we have a bunch of new people out for the first time,” Hinthorn said.
Girls:
Sophomore Asha Abubakari placed third in the shot put last year, and is looking to win the title this year. Abubakari also qualified for state in discus, long jump and triple jump.
Returning state participants:
Seniors: Morgan Burt, pole vault; Chloe Kupper, mid-distance; Sierra Petesch, hurdles and jumps; Camille Ussher, who won the 800m district title in 2021, mid-distance and relays;
Juniors: Mia Blackmore, who won the 100 hurdles at districts in 2021, hurdles; Leah Moellmer, pole vault;
Sophomores: Markynn Pluid, jumps.
The Badgers are ready to compete, they just need the weather to warm up, Hinthorn said.
The Badgers first meet will be at the Lewiston Invite, scheduled for Friday, March 18. The Badgers only home meet is the Bonners Ferry Invite on Saturday, March 26. A total of 14 teams are scheduled to compete.
