The Clark Fork high school track team sent one athlete to state last year, Sam Barnett.

Barnett competed in the 1600 and the 3200 at the 1A state track meet.

The Wampus Cats had eight boys on its roster a year ago (no girls). All eight boys will be back for another lap around the track.

After sending one boy to state paired with experience from the whole team, is Clark Fork in line for a North Star League championship?

Head coach Matt Majors is entering his fourth year as the head man for the Clark Fork track team. His wife _ is also contributing to the popularity of the sport throughout the community by coaching the junior high team.

“We’re sowing the seeds and trying to make track a fun thing to do,” Matt Majors said. “We’re already seeing our work pay off from the number of kids signing up.”

Last year, the junior high track team had huge numbers, especially by Clark Fork standards.

“My wife had 20 kids come out for the team; we were blown away,” Majors said. “I’m hoping that continues. We want to show the kids that the team is a great way to represent your school and community.”

The increase at the middle school level has led to increased numbers on the high school team.

“The coaches and I wanted to build a program and having everyone back is huge,” Majors said. “We also got to look at the sign-up sheet this year and we have a bunch of kids signed up and ready to go.”

The returning athletes have also played a huge part in the sport's growing popularity.

“The kids have been our biggest recruiters,” Majors said. “We’re hoping for big things this year and that’s what they’re telling their friends.”

Majors said the kids on the team are aware of how successful the program can be.

Clark Fork placed second at the district meet last year, with only eight athletes.

“They know it's a numbers game,” Majors said. “We just need more bodies and judging by the signup sheet that we saw, we have a real shot at winning a district title this year.”

Although Clark Fork track is gaining numbers, its eight original athletes are back for a second go around.

Starting with Barnett, whose run to state was groundbreaking for the team.

“First and foremost, he’s an amazing kid every coach wants,” Majors said. “He’s a great leader and a prototypical athlete. He did a great job last year.”

Barnett competed in the long distance events, but Majors is confident that he could do any event and be successful at it.

“He can go top 2 in any event he wants,” Majors said. “We had to narrow his focus to what would get him to state.”

Barnett is looking forward to having a full year under his belt focusing on 1600 and 3200 events.

“I’m starting to feel out where I’m at,” Barnett said. “I’m hoping that we can do something as a team this year.”

Barnett spent all of last year competing in the 1600, but the 3200 and 800 came to him a bit later in the season.

Last year was senior Joe Bopp’s first year participating in track.

Track's growing popularity mixed with Barnett's state performance got him excited for the year to come.

"I think it's really cool," Barnett said. "I'm really looking forward to what we do as a team this year, hopefully we can take districts."

His events included the long jump, the 200, and the 400. He got better as the season progressed, with Majors saying he was the most improved athlete on the team.

At districts, he placed top 5 in every event he participated in.

Sophomore Wyatt Micken is a sprinter who runs the 100, 200, and 400.

He started track in junior high.

“He’ll be up there at districts as a top sprinter,” Majors said. “He tied for first in the 100 last year and was top 3 in the 200 and 400. Seeing him grow has been really awesome to see.”

Finally, Nathan Shelton, who does shot put, discus, and occasionally the 800, will also be back in the fold for the Wampus Cats.

“He’ll do anything to help the team out,” Majors said. “ (Nathan) Shelton is a leader and his work ethic is unmatched.”

Shelton was the most seasoned athlete on the team a year ago, being the only returner on the team in 2021.

Shelton's sophomore year got cut due to COVID-19.

The Wampus Cats will also have a couple girls on its roster in 2022.

This will build Clark Fork’s roster to about 10 athletes. Having numbers will benefit the Wampus Cats come district time.