THE FRONT ROW with JASON ELLIOTT: A tuneup, and new faces for the field

Where else can you find one of the last tuneups for those throwing specialists in track and field just before the U.S. Olympic Trials?

Well, besides the television.

How about here, right in our backyard.

ONCE AGAIN, the best of the best around the nation will come to the Iron Wood Throws Center in Rathdrum to compete, not only in the Iron Wood Throws Classic on Thursday, but a Continental Tour event next Saturday.

Athletes will compete in the hammer throw, shot put, discus and javelin. Thursday’s meet will be an exhibition, with competitors earning points toward their season standings. The Olympic trials begin on June 21 in Eugene.

Among those scheduled to compete will be Payton Ottterdahl, a 2021 Olympian in the men’s shot put, as well as Jessica Ramsey, who qualified for the Olympics in 2021, also in the shot put.

Jamaican national record holder Nayoka Clunis (71.13 meters, 233 feet, 3 inches) is also scheduled to compete in the women’s hammer throw, along with previous Japanese record holder Joy McArthur.

In the men’s hammer throw, Michael Schuey and Curtis Thompson — both of which qualified for the 2021 Olympics — are scheduled to compete. 

Turner Washington, a four-time NCAA champion at Arizona State, will compete in the discus. Washington, a member of the 2023 World Championships team, won the discus and shot put title at the Iron Wood Throws Classic in 2017, winning the shot put with a throw of 68 feet, 8 ¾ inches, beating Coeur d’Alene High product Grady Leonard by three inches.

That year, Washington won the boys discus with a throw of 212 feet, 4 inches, what was measured as the second best mark nationally with a 1.75 kilogram discus.

Thursday’s events begin with the women’s shot put and men’s hammer throw at noon.

After a rest day on Friday, the second day of the meet will begin on Saturday at noon.

IT WILL seem and look a little different as prep sports get going once again next fall.

New classifications will mean new rivalries in some sports.

In the case of the now-6A Coeur d’Alene and Lake City High boys soccer programs, both will be under new leadership once practices get going in early August.

Chaz Donovan replaced Kevin Jump after Jump stepped down as coach.

“I’ve been coaching youth athletics for 20 years, 12 with the Timbers-Thorns soccer club,” Donovan said. “I saw the opening come up, gave it some thought and applied for it.”

Lake City went 17-1-0 in 2023, finishing as the state 5A consolation champion. The Timberwolves were 11-6-1 in 2022, advancing to the semifinals after upsetting Coeur d’Alene in the opening round at state.

“We lost 13 seniors, several kids that were key contributors to the team,” Donovan said. “We’ve still got some upcoming seniors like Jacob and Kai Delio that were big for us last year. We’re well suited for a good run this year and have a great group of kids. I think we can make another run at it.”

It was the familiarity with the players that made Donovan want to get into coaching now.

“I’ve always wanted to do it, and thought it was a good time and fit now,” Donovan said. “I’ve coached a lot of these kids and am really familiar with them. The only reason I coach is to make a difference. I just want to help prepare them for life after high school, whether that’s playing or setting them up for life.”

Across town, Coeur d’Alene hired Robbie Harmelink to replace Braden Ridgewell, who stepped down last winter, as coach. Harmelink has been an assistant coach for the Vikings the past three seasons.

“Coach Harmelink brings a wealth of experience and passion to his new role,” Coeur d’Alene athletic director Victoria Beechler said. “As a former collegiate athlete and coach at William Jessup University, he has honed his skills, both on the field and in coaching, particularly as a goalkeeper coach. His commitment to soccer excellence is matched by his dedication to nurturing young athletes, fostering both their skills and growth as individuals.”

Harmelink also serves as a part-time youth director at Coeur d’Alene Bible Church and as a service coordinator with Highroad Human Services.”

With the new classification, Post Falls will play in the new 5A classification for the next two years in soccer only, leaving Coeur d’Alene and Lake City as the lone teams in Region 1 in 6A.

“It is what it is,” Donovan said. “We’re used to adapting and overcoming those obstacles. We’ll be getting our players ready for changes, whatever they might be. We’re just going to have to adapt as things develop over the next few months.”

Jason Elliott is a sports writer for The Press. He can be reached by telephone at 208-664-8176, Ext. 2020 or via email at jelliott@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @JECdAPress.