MULLAN — With a youthful roster and an emphasis on long‑term development, the Mullan Track and Field Program enters the spring season focused on growth, progression and enjoying the process along the way. 

Second-year head coach Dakota Dykes has a lot to like about his small team. 

Young Core, Rising Talent 

Mullan’s roster is anchored by underclassmen, with several athletes already showing signs of breakout potential. 

“This is a young team of mostly sophomores,” Dykes said, “but Cael Sala made huge strides on his long jump last year, and Lacie Morris was a beast of a distance runner in middle school track, so we are excited to see her develop as well.” 

That youth movement has shaped the team’s approach to training, with an emphasis on fundamentals and gradual progression. 

Impact Newcomer 

One athlete expected to make an immediate impact is junior Gianna Tirabasso, who brings experience despite being new to the school. 

“Gianna is a newcomer to our school but is not new to track and field,” Dykes said. “She is shaping up to be a powerful addition to the Mullan squad.” 

Season Focus 

Rather than specializing too early, the Tigers are concentrating on balanced development across events. 

“This season, we are looking to further develop our athletes to push some into higher categories while building strong foundations in others,” Dykes said. 

That approach ties directly into the program’s broader goals. 

“Growth is always the goal,” he said. “I would like to see strong showings from our top athletes to see how close they are at achieving their goals of challenging school records and going to state.” 

Coaching Support 

Dykes is joined by familiar and new faces on the coaching staff, expanding support across disciplines. 

“Outside of myself and our long-time coach Sherry Leitz, my wife Tiffany Dykes is helping our athletes with all things jumping as well as a potential hurdle athlete or two,” he said. 

The added expertise has helped the Tigers refine their technique while keeping training engaging. 

League and Rivalries 

Competition within the North Star League provides both motivation and camaraderie, particularly with neighboring programs. 

"We tend to focus on Kootenai, and we have some fun rivalries there between some of their kids and ours,” Dykes said. “A few have competed since middle school and have made great connections with them on and off the track. Of course, we also share space with Wallace for track so the athletes tend to bond and compete with them each year.” 

Looking Ahead 

As the season unfolds, Dykes said his priority is helping athletes pursue their goals while keeping the sport enjoyable. 

“Basically, I look forward to this season, and I hope that I am able to help facilitate the level of growth and competition these athletes are aspiring towards this year while having fun doing it,” he said.