State championship athletes recognized

One of the main goals for high school athletes as they prepare for an upcoming season is making it to the big dance, the state championships.

At that level, everyone is a champion or has at least finished high in the standings of the qualifying tournaments along the path to state glory. 

Finish in the top six at that level in track and field, or in the top 15 individually in golf, and you get the designation of All-State attached to your name in recognition of being one of the best. 

At least a few schools in the Sanders and Mineral counties areas are taking that a step further with recognition for making it to the championship finals. 

Superior head track and field coach Logan Labbe put it, “I am incredibly proud of this group,” Labbe said. “Our mindset throughout the season was not to let the size of our school limit our achievements. These athletes set goals early in the year and as they met those goals, they continued to reset them and strive for further improvement. 

“This growth mindset, along with a lot of hard work, led to exceptional performances at the State track meet. As a coach, you couldn’t ask for more”. 

Perhaps no one exemplifies that goal more than senior sprinter Trizten Avila, who swept the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter races this year, while establishing a new state record in the 200-meter event. 

Along the way this year, Superior produced four other All-state award winners including Braelyn Mangold, Maryisa Swope, Ava White and Landon Richards, all of whom placed sixth or higher, some in multiple events. 

But Superior also had two others, George Hanson and Gannon Quinlan, who qualified to represent the Bobcats in the state pole vault finals, a feat worthy of recognition. 

In Hot Springs, coach Andrew Leichtnam also had a solid group who made it to State, led by senior David Chapman, who won the 110-meter hurdles, was fifth in the 200-meter sprint and was a member of the Savage Heat’s 4X100 meter relay team. 

Georgia Uski was fourth in the discus for the Lady Heat, and senior Nick McAllister was second in the 300-meter hurdles.  Sophomores Ben Aldridge and Daniel Slonaker were members of the sixth-place relay team.   

In St. Regis, coach Jesse Allan said the Tigers honor all athletes who make it to the state finals.  This year, there were no top six placers for the Tigers or Lady Tigers, but Allan and crew reward their effort to get to the finals. 

“I have always operated on a belief that if a kid makes it to State, we award an All-State certificate”, he said. 

The feeling extends to other sports, like golf.  All who qualified for State are honored at a reception and award ceremony in Thompson Falls. 

“We get everyone together who made it to State and do something as a group,” said golf coach Doree Thilmony, who added this year’s ceremony involved an ice cream event for attendees and honorees. 

And lest anyone think such recognition amounts to an elevated version of the controversial participation trophies, there is a big difference. 

“This is a participation award,” said one coach who asked not to be named. “Getting to State means you put in the effort to qualify to be among the best.  That deserves something”.