THE FRONT ROW WITH MARK NELKE: May 8, 2014

It's not talked about much up in Spirit Lake, but it's not being taken for granted either.

Timberlake High's boys track team went 3-0 in Intermountain League duals this season - winning all three by wide margins - capturing the league title for the 12th straight year. The Tigers have now won 46 straight IML duals.

Timberlake's girls were similarly dominant, going 3-0 in IML duals and winning the league title for the seventh straight season. The Tiger girls have not lost a league dual since 2007.

"It is becoming a good habit," said Brian Kluss, in his 12th season as Timberlake head track coach. "Both teams have more goals to go out and get, so it has not been discussed much yet here either. I believe (Timberlake's success in track and field) is partly a numbers game and partly coaching - we have a great staff, I think the best in the state at our level for sure. All of my assistants are excellent at what they do and the kids really respond to the coaching. I am pretty sure I am the luckiest coach in the 3A level."

Under Kluss, Timberlake's boys have won the 3A district title every year as well - 11 district titles and counting going into this year's meet, which runs today and Friday in Spirit Lake. The Tigers, who have won three state titles under Kluss, were fourth at state last year.

Timberlake's girls had a streak of four straight district titles snapped last year when the Tigers finished third. Kellogg won the district title.

"We were disappointed with the result of the district meet last year on the girls side, and we are focusing our attention on that meet now," Kluss said. "We were very close to winning the meet last year, and are in a good position now."

Timberlake's girls, who have one state title to their credit, just missed a trophy last year at state, finishing fifth.

WHEN THE San Francisco 49ers drafted Eric Reid in the first round last year, I didn't know him from Tara Reid, but he turned into a pretty good safety starting as a rookie last fall.

I have to admit, I don't go all Mel Kiper in preparation for the draft, which (finally) starts today. I know the 49ers need some help in the secondary - namely, cornerbacks who can break up passes, not merely wait for the receiver to catch the ball, then dutifully tackle him.

Another pass rusher - preferably one who doesn't jump offside a lot - would be nice as well.

The 49ers seem to have the pieces they want on offense - though they need to figure out a way to be more efficient; ie, score touchdowns in the red zone instead of kicking field goals, or start looking for other pieces.

As for that other team in the area - the one coming off the dominant Super Bowl victory - they seem to be solid pretty much everywhere, so they would be merely adding assets. The folks they lost through free agency weren't anybody they couldn't replace.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at CdAPressSports.