MERIDIAN — The 4A state and track field championships start on Friday, but not for the long jumpers and triple jumpers.

The two events are slated to begin at 5 p.m. Thursday at Rocky Mountain High School. The move was made after the pit at Eagle High School did not meet size requirements.

That means Sandpoint senior Braden Kappen will begin his pursuit for a state title a day earlier than the rest of the Bulldogs.

In order to make the long jump, Kappen and jumps coach Dave DeMers flew down to Boise on Wednesday evening, while the other 24 SHS state qualifiers leave Sandpoint on Thursday morning on the bus.

Kappen said it will be strange to be out there competing without his teammates.

"I'll definitely miss the team support, but I don't think it will affect me too much in my performance," he said on Wednesday.

Kappen said he was informed about a week before regionals that he would have to compete in the long jump a day sooner than originally expected.

But there are perks to going down to state before everyone else, like getting to ride in DeMers' rental car — a Ford Mustang.

Kappen said he is grateful that he gets to spend a whole day with DeMers.

"I trust DeMers and his driving," he laughed. "It will be fun."

Heading into state, Kappen is seeded No. 3 in the long jump with his regional mark of 21 feet, 5.5 inches. However, he owns the best mark in 4A this spring with a leap of 22 feet, 4 inches at the Meet of Champions two weeks ago. That mark obliterated his school record in the event.

Kappen took third in the long jump at state in 2019, and he doesn't plan on returning to Sandpoint with anything but gold this time around.

"I expect to win," he said.

Kappen is looking for a leap of at least 22 feet, and maybe even 23.

"I'm really excited just to compete," he said. "All my hard work has been paying off and I'm ready to see what I can do at state."

Kappen will also compete in the 100, 200 and 4x400 relay at state. He said he plans on making the most of his final track meet.

"I just want to enjoy everything I can and take it all in," he said.

A full preview of all the Sandpoint athletes competing at the 4A state track meet will run in Friday's paper.