Timberlake big favorite to repeat in 3A track
The Timberlake High boys track team, the defending 3A state champion, takes a better, deeper squad to state than last year.
Coach Brian Kluss says hold off on declaring his team a repeat champ just yet.
“Lots of stuff happens at state meets,” Kluss began with his disclaimer. “There are things you don’t expect to happen that do – like a false start or a dropped baton. Shelley really should have won the meet last year if they hadn’t false-started in the 110 (meter) hurdles. Maybe they’re thinking this is the year they go after it.”
And maybe Boise will be overcome by a glacial flood, too. If Timberlake isn’t a lock to repeat, the Tigers are the closest thing to it.
Even Kluss has to admit that his team is an odds-on favorite to capture its third state title in four years when the 89th annual track and field championships for all classifications begins this afternoon at Boise State University’s Bronco Stadium.
“It’s a great, great team,” Kluss said. “You don’t get this many opportunities all the time. So we’ve got to enjoy it now.”
To hear Kluss tell it, he’s enjoyed going to practices as much as he has meets this season.
“It’s amazing to watch them work in practice,” Kluss said. “What I like about them is every time they have a challenge in front of them they meet it. It’s just one of those kinds of group. It makes it really easy to coach them.”
So Kluss is going to sit back and enjoy state. He should have a smile on his face the entire three days in Boise.
Timberlake’s boys won 15 of 18 events at district, and the Tigers scored 203 points – 63 more than last year. They’re seeded to score about 100 points – and potentially could score more – at state. Shelley, state runner-up last year, and Homedale are the teams that could be in the hunt for a while.
Senior Frank Lagrimanta will be out to defend state titles in the 1,600 and 3,200. He will anchor the title-winning medley relay. Junior Levi Powers is the reigning champ in the triple jump.
Counting relays, the Tigers could win as many as 10 events. Junior sprinter Nick Puckett will contend for medals, if not state titles, in the 100 and 200 and will anchor the 400 and 1,600 relays that could fare well.
“Everybody will be shooting at us,” Kluss said. “We’ve just got to step up and everything will fall into place. But we will always anticipate a dogfight.”
Other area teams that could challenge for state trophies are: Lake City’s boys and Lewiston’s boys and girls in 5A; Bonners Ferry’s girls in 3A; and Kootenai’s boys and Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy’s girls in 1A.