For the week of November 6 - 12, 2002

Bach fourth at state cross country

Farragut State Park footrace

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On a hilly course at Farragut State Park in northern Idaho, Wood River High School senior Eva Bach placed fourth of 63 runners in Saturday’s State 3A girls’ cross country footrace.

Bach (20:42) and 17th-place Molly Meyers (21:44), also a senior, were the leading runners for coach James Foster’s Wolverine girls in a meet that attracted 586 prep runners.

Foster said, "Eva ran a terrific time, her best state time so far. She has finished 8th, 9th and 4th at state in her sophomore, junior and senior years. Molly has been our most consistent runner in this, her first year. We will miss their leadership."

Twelfth last year, Gooding senior April Homan (19:55) won her first State 3A girls’ championship by 14 seconds over two-time state champion Danielle Allen of Teton (20:09). The 3A boys’ winner was junior Rodger Jachim of Middleton (16:41).

Wood River boys Alex Hamlin (18:08) and Jackson Harris (18:37) finished 21st and 36th of 73 runners on a cold day north of Coeur d’Alene.

Foster said, "Alex ran an inspired race and moved up to 21st after running in 44th place early in the race. Jack ran well despite having his tonsils removed three weeks ago.

"Our four graduating seniors—four-year letter winner Matt DeCarufel, three-year letter winner Eva Bach, and first-year letter winners Molly Meyers and Ashley Baker—have all contributed greatly to the success of our team this year."

Highland’s exemplary senior Matt Knoff won his third straight State 5A individual title and emerged as the fastest runner of the day with a 15:58 time, good for a 20-second victory. Fastest girl was 4A champion Ali Brosh, a Sandpoint junior in 18:32.

Other medalists were: 5A girls, sophomore Breanna Sande of Lake City 19:31; 4A boys, junior Aaron Wolfe of Century 16:32; 2A boys, senior Cody Fowers of Hansen 16:34; and 2A girls, sophomore Ashley Puga of Nampa Christian 20:10.

In the team standings, the Preston Indian boys earned a threepeat 53-60 over Gooding. Placing 6-7-8, the Salmon girls captured their first-ever state title 61-70 over Bonners Ferry.

Coach Tracy Harris’ Meridian Warriors captured their fourth consecutive State 5A championship by a 44-69 margin over Skyline, and the Idaho Falls boys narrowly beat defending champion Meridian 51-59.

The team winners in 4A were Hillcrest of Idaho Falls 55-76 over the Century boys, and Sandpoint 56-78 over the Hillcrest girls.

Firth claimed its sixth straight 2A title 72-80 over Malad, and the Firth girls won their first-ever state title by a 39-50 margin over three-time defending champion Malad.

2002 state times and results:

·  State 3A girls: 1—April Homan (Gooding) 19:55. 4—Eva Bach 20:42. 17—Molly Meyers 21:44. 50—Courtney Perry 24:49. 51—Lindsay Niedrich 25:01. 54—Aleah Weisen 25:14. 57—Jenni Borda 26:17. 58—Ashley Baker 26:22.

· State 3A boys: 1—Rodger Jachim (Middleton) 16:41. 21—Alex Hamlin 18:08. 36—Jackson Harris 18:37.

 

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