Bulldog cross country teams defend Regional titles today

SANDPOINT — If there was any doubt who the best 4A cross country program in North Idaho is, consider both the Bulldog boys and girls teams, varsity and JV, are going for their first consecutive Regional titles today at the 5A/4A/3A Region 1 Cross Country Championships at Farragut State Park.

The Bulldog girls won 4A state titles in 2013 and 2014, and feel like they have a team that can contend for another. The team got some good news recently, learning that senior Katherine Kaul, who won’t run today, would return from injury in time for state.

“Kat has been high volume cross training after tendonitis hit mid-season,” said girls coach Angie Brass. “She is now cleared to run, training and healing to prepare for state next week.”

That Brass can look that far ahead speaks to how strong the Bulldog girls are, led by senior Hannah Davidson, who along with Kaul has broken 19 minutes this season while setting the pace up front. She’ll be joined on the district girls team by Niah Brass, Heather Wallace, Kali Scheel, Farli Boden, Ciera Bailey and Sharon Rowe.

Junior Brass (19:48), sophomore Wallace (19:55) and senior Boden (20:00) form a tight second pack, racking up low finishes and posting low times.

The Bulldog boys will be led out front by senior Cole Dillon (16:44), junior Ephriam Weisz (16:47), and senior Garrett Pierce (16:57), each of whom has cracked the 17 minute mark. They’ll be joined by Peik Lund-Andersen, Brady Nelsen, Jett Lucas and Tyler McNamee on the varsity seven.

Head coach Matt Brass feels both the boys and girls stand a good chance of repeating, but must still execute the game plan.

“We are focused on emulating what got us here,” he said. “Strong pack running and focusing on being tough competitors from wire to wire.”

Racing starts at 10 a.m., with the 4A girls race starting at noon and the 4A boys race at 12:45 p.m. at Farragut State Park.