In 2021, the Sandpoint Cross Country team had its smallest team in 17 years, with 38 runners.

However, that didn't prevent the Bulldogs from having one of its best runs ever at the Class 4A region 1 meet.

The girls and boys both won their ninth consecutive regional title. The girls did it with a perfect score of 15, which was the first time the Sandpoint girls’ team has ever done that.

At the Class 4A state cross country meet both teams finished in the top-10, with the girls finishing fifth and the boys placing seventh.

The girls will have a core of veteran runners on their varsity crew in 2022, bringing back Ara Clark, Payton Betz, Grace Rookey, Terra Bode, and Lilly Richardson.

"(Ara) and (Payton) are on our top-25 list for the best 5Ks in school history," Sandpoint girls cross country coach Angie Brass said. "Grace is also almost on that list. We'll have a good mix of experience and new younger runners."

Sophomore Maddei Hall, who has put in a great summer, will be one of the younger additions to the girls' team. Sandpoint will also add six new freshmen to their lineup as well.

"They've been very engaged at summer runs and training," Brass said. "They're progressing well and will be gaining experience as the year progresses."

After a year where the numbers were at an all-time low, it'll be a nice change of pace to have a large freshman class.

The group has remained engaged throughout the offseason program and Brass expects several athletes to develop and play a role in 2022.

Freshman Izzy Davidson is one of those freshmen that Brass expects to play a role on the team.

"(Izzy) Davidson is the last girl in a house full of amazing female athletes that I've had the privilege to coach and mentor in track and cross country," Brass said. "She will continue to step forward and make a run for the varsity crew."

Richardson, who transferred to Sandpoint this last school year, ran track with Brass in the spring and has a distance running background.

According to Brass, she's had a great summer and is ready to be a part of the top-5 pack.

Veteran leaders Clark and Betz will step into the team captain position for the Bulldogs in 2022. Clark is entering her second year as team captain for the Sandpoint girls' cross country team.

"Leaders are developed over time with opportunities to be mentors of our newer and younger runners," Angie Brass said. "Captain is not a token word, but a privilege and responsibility to our program. They embody the team's core values, are hard-working, dedicated, team-first athletes who lead by example."

The boys' team will have scant experience with three seniors, and only one runner having varsity experience.

"We will have our work cut out for us to claim our tenth district championship in a row," Sandpoint boys cross country coach Matt Brass said. "We lost Ben Ricks (district champion), Trey Clark, and Caleb Roche in graduation."

The boys' team will have a large junior class with three runners having varsity experience.

One junior set to return is Nathan Roche. He holds both freshman and sophomore class records. Dan Ricks and Kasten Grimm both have varsity experience as well.

Brass expects Will Jordan, Jimmy Cornelius, Klein Fragoso, Michael Hall, Isaiah Hagstrom, and Keane Haesle to all battle for varsity spots this year as well

The offseason program has been a big key to the success of the Sandpoint cross country team.

Angie and Matt Brass meet with the runners three times a week in the offseason during the summer and winter for runs, weights, and core.

"Each athlete has a level to train at," Angie Brass said. "That is obviously how they prepare for the season; this is not a sport you can fake your way through. Preparation makes your season and sets you up so you are ready and have less risk of injury."

The Sandpoint cross country team will begin its season on Friday, Aug. 26 at the Pine Street Woods Invite.