News Story - Idaho State Journal

tflagstad@journalnet.com

Sydney Wendt didn't consider location when she started her search to find the right college her senior year at Skyline High in Idaho Falls.

Now that she's settled in at Idaho State, she couldn't imagine being anywhere but the campus that's a short drive down Interstate 15 from her hometown.

"I really love it," Wendt said. "It means a lot."

Wendt's story isn't too dissimilar from a majority of those on the Bengals' track and field team. Part by necessity, part by design, Idaho-born athletes almost always fill Idaho State's roster.

Those Gem State high school standouts who commit to compete for the Bengals enjoy the support they receive from friends and family while running, jumping and throwing close to home, and they have a chance to find great success while wearing the orange and black.

"You're always gonna have support, but right here in your hometown, it makes a lot of difference, having them physically there," said 2008 Pocatello High graduate Logan Henderson who now long jumps, triple jumps and sprints for the Bengals. "Looking up in the stands and seeing your family there is ... it's just fun."

With a limited recruiting budget and a small number of scholarships to dole out -- Idaho State can have a maximum of 12.6 full-time equivalent scholarships on the men's side when fully funded, which isn't always the case, and 18 for women -- Idaho State coaches naturally turn to athletes not too far from the Gate City.

Coach Dave Nielsen estimates that in any given year, graduates of Idaho high schools make up 60 percent to 70 percent of his roster.

"That's your base. This is our school, and I really think there's a certain amount of pride that local athletes take in this," he said. "Another thing is we create interest by having people in this area participate in this area. There's more reason to come and see somebody."

He knows if a different coach filled his position, he or she may take a different path while recruiting.

However, with only three assistants and the large number of bodies needed to provide the needed numbers to field a track and field team, Nielsen is content with his strategy.

"This is a special place, and I have the opportunity to play it as I wish to," he said. "Different coaches may be able to come in here and have more success by taking a different recruiting route, but I didn't feel like going totally international. I kind of like this, and we have had success."

Yes he has.

Now in his 26th year leading the Bengals, Nielsen has coached 20 All-Americans and nearly 200 Big Sky champions. He's guided the men to four indoor league championships, and in 2007, the Idaho State women captured their first-ever outdoor conference title.

American Falls native Jackie Poulson is one of those area standouts. She twice earned All-America honors in the heptathlon in her time with the Bengals, and she's competed in the past two U.S. Olympic track and field trials. She's now in her sixth year as one of Nielsen's assistants.

"It wasn't, to be honest, my first choice, but it was the best choice for me to stay here and have the support of my family," Poulson said. "They were there every weekend, and it was awesome. It was a benefit for me to have that support. A lot of kids don't have that. They have the kids on the team or friends that sometimes show up, but my family was always there."

One of the greatest athletes in Idaho State track and field history also hailed from the Gem State.

Amber Welty-Cnossen, a Salmon native, graduated from Twin Falls High and went on to earn All-America honors in the high jump all four years as a Bengal. In 1988, Welty became the school's first individual NCAA champion when she captured the high jump title.

Under Nielsen's tutelage, she went on to qualify for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

"Sometimes you just get lucky, and athletes are wired well. You can't tell right off, but you know something good's going on," Nielsen said. "Amber was one of those, and she seemed like she had a bright future ahead. But I never thought she'd do what she did. That was truly amazing."

Of course, not all of the Bengals greats grew up in Idaho. Current multi-event standout Cassie Merkley is from Leavenworth, Wash., and 2000 women's pole vault gold medalist Stacy Dragila was born in Auburn, Calif.

"If we were only local, that's not good because that doesn't provide the diversity," Nielsen said. "We try to find some sort of balance."

Still, Idaho athletes should always make up a large chunk of the Idaho State roster.

"They feel like the program here takes time for them," Poulson said, "and I think they recognize that."

By Tim Flagstad

This document was originally published online on Sunday, December 14, 2008

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