In early March, young athletes from North Idaho made their mark in various sports events. Four middle schoolers from the North Idaho Distance Project club team traveled to New York to compete in the Nike Indoor Nationals. This event took place at the Nike Track and Field Center at The Armory from March 13 to 16. The athletes faced tough competition in the 1, 500-meter and 1-mile races. Will Wood, Hunter Pitsch, and Cody Morgenstern competed in the boys' races. Wood secured the 12th spot in both the 1, 500-meter and 1-mile events. Pitsch and Morgenstern also gave it their all, finishing 24th and 25th respectively in both races. Victoria Howard represented the girls in the same distances, finishing 15th in the 1, 500-meter and 13th in the 1-mile race. These young runners showed impressive endurance and speed, pushing themselves to the limit in a high-pressure environment.

Meanwhile, back home, volleyball and basketball games were heating up. In Rathdrum, young players showcased their skills in co-ed volleyball matches. The 3rd and 4th-grade teams had intense battles. The Net Ninjas and Aces went head-to-head in a best-of-three series, with the Net Ninjas taking two out of three matches. The All Stars and Crush also had a thrilling series, with the All Stars winning the first two matches but the Crush bouncing back to win the third. The 5th and 6th-grade teams had equally exciting matches. The Outreach Eats dominated their series against the Volley Vipers, winning two out of three matches. The Wildgrain Woodworking and Electric Watermelons had a close series, with each team winning one match and tying the other. The Idaho Fence team showed their strength, sweeping the Tamarack Family Services in all three matches.

Basketball games in Spirit Lake were just as competitive. The 5th to 7th-grade teams had several close matches. The Hot Shots and N. Id. State Fair had a tie game, with both teams scoring 11 points. The Intermax and Retrofit Athletics had a nail-biting finish, with Retrofit winning by just one point. The Retrofit Athletics also had a strong performance against the Plummer Forest Products, winning with a score of 27-9. The Spirit Lake Family Dental team showed their skills, defeating the Plummer Forest Products with a score of 26-6. These young athletes demonstrated teamwork, strategy, and determination on the court.

Gymnastics also saw some impressive performances. The Avant Coeur Boys Team traveled to Boise for the Men's State Championships. Athletes from various levels showcased their skills on different apparatuses. Lochlan McGinnis from Level 3 took the top spot on the vault with a score of 8. 800. In Level 4, Jokob Clinton and Niam Phothivongsa had notable performances, with Clinton taking second in the all-around and Phothivongsa securing third. In Level 5, Paxton Wengeler stood out by winning the vault event. Higher levels also had impressive performances. In Level 9, Nait Phothivongsa took second in the all-around, and in Level 10, Conan Tapia and Lance Mosher had strong showings on the rings and high bar. These young gymnasts demonstrated incredible strength, flexibility, and precision in their routines.

These events highlighted the talent and dedication of young athletes in North Idaho. From running long distances to executing complex gymnastics routines, these kids showed what they are capable of. Their performances serve as a reminder that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing one's passions and achieving greatness. It is important to support and encourage these young athletes as they continue to grow and develop their skills. Their hard work and determination are truly inspiring.

Local Kids Showcase Their Skills in Big Events

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