THE FRONT ROW with JASON ELLIOTT: Timberlake boys are truly a band of brothers

Maybe Timberlake’s advantage today at the state 4A boys cross country meet will end up being that the Tigers are closer to home.

Or, it could be the built-in advantage that, for six of the seven competing in today’s meet, they’re not only friends.

But family.

TIMBERLAKE WILL run for its first state title in program history today at 2:30 p.m., in the final race of the day at the Lewis-Clark State Course in Lewiston Orchards.

The Tigers are led by three sets of brothers: Caleb and Eli Royce, Jonathan and Cameron Barnhart and Joseph and Jacob Sateren. 

“I think it’s really good,” said junior Caleb Royce, who won last week’s District 1 meet in Bonners Ferry. “It kind of gives us an advantage over some teams. We already have that chemistry with each other. My brother Eli and I have known each other's steps for so long, it really gives us an edge.”

Jonathan and Cameron are the younger brothers of Jacob Barnhart, who won the state 3A title at Lewiston Orchards in 2022, the last time that state was in the north.

“My brother motivates me all the time,” sophomore Cameron Barnhart said of Jacob. “He told me that’s the course to break your PR on, and do everything you want to do.”

Jonathan Barnhart, a junior, was in eighth grade when Jacob won the state title as a junior.

“I remember watching Jacob running against his competition and thought he was really good,” Jonathan Barnhart said. “He was switching between, first, second and third and his finishing kick was really strong and blew everyone out of the water.” 

Jacob Sateren was a freshman in 2022, when Timberlake finished fourth at state.

“It was a fun, really fast course,” Jacob Sateren said. “I really liked it. I wasn’t very good then, so it’s going to be different this time. I’m thinner now, and I race a lot harder now. I leave it all out there.” 

"I've really enjoyed the camaraderie with these boys," Timberlake coach Shawn Lawler said. "They argue like most brothers, but ultimately support and challenge each other in workouts and races."

With brothers, sometimes there’s a bit of a competitive nature that takes over.

“If we just go off PRs, mine are a lot better than his,” Joseph Sateren said. “But in practice, I think we’re really similar and he might be better. But it’s kind of fun to see each race because some of the other guys, it’s a bigger gap. But between my brother and I, it’s not as far apart, so it’s fun to see who’s going to win today, or next week.” 

“I like that we help push each other harder,” Jacob Sateren said. “We’re so close, and don’t want to lose to each other, so we end up battling back and forth a little bit.” 

“Sometimes, it’s a little annoying because he’s so much better than me,” freshman Eli Royce said of his brother Caleb. “During workouts over the summer, he was pushing me, but I can see now it was just to make me better and it changed how I looked at it. He was doing it to make me and the team better.” 

“On our long runs, both Joe and Jacob are going at each other,” said senior Josh Yeager, the youngest of three brothers and the only runner among them. “I try to get them to calm down for the next few miles. Everyone works hard and pushes for each other and runs for the glory of God. Having that connection is a crucial thing to how we perform.” 

TIMBERLAKE WAS sixth at state last year at Eagle Island State Park. The Tiger boys' best finish at state was fourth in 2022 in Lewiston. 

“Honestly, we’re thinking about it a lot,” Jacob Sateren said. “We’re kind of straying away from thinking about winning. We’re just trying to figure things out on race day and see what happens.” 

“It would be a big part of Timberlake,” Cameron Barnhart said. “Our guys' team has never won state before, so that would really help our school a lot.” 

“It would mean a lot to the team and school,” Eli Royce said. “We’ve got a lot of expectations that we’re going to place really high. We’re doing it for everyone.” 

“Their chemistry is monumental for success,” Lawler said. “They train, race and compete with and for each other every day. Their bond is strengthened through a common purpose.”

Caleb Royce has the third fastest time in the state in 4A (15 minutes, 31 seconds), Jonathan Barnhart fourth in 4A (15:41).

“I think of it as black out or pass out,” Jonathan Barnhart said. “I’m never going to give up on a race. I’m going to give it my all no matter what.” 

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for The Press. He can be reached by telephone at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1206 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on ‘X’, formerly Twitter @JECdAPress.

    Courtesy photo The Timberlake High boys cross country team will compete in the state 4A meet today at 2:30 p.m. at the Lewis-Clark State Cross Country Course in Lewiston Orchards. From left are Cameron Barnhart, Eli Royce, Jacob Sateren, Joseph Sateren, Josh Yeager, Jonathan Barnhardt and Caleb Royce.