LEWISTON, ID – LC State Cross Country/Track and Field signed a talented trio that will make a big impact next school year. Boise’s Taylor Dawson will add depth to the women’s sprints, while Paul Kent and Zion Boyd will bolster the men’s and women’s cross country teams, respectively.
“We are thrilled to announce the addition of these three to our Warrior family,” coach Mike Collins said. “All three are regional student-athletes and fit the mold of what has made us successful over the years and we have every reason to believe all three will continue to do so.”
Taylor Dawson – Boise, Idaho/Centennial HS
Dawson, a senior at Centennial High School in Boise, competes in sprints with a focus in the 400m. She ranks fifth in school history in the 400m with a time of 59.54, and is eighth in the 200m (26.17) and ninth in the 100m (12.82). She was a member of the third-fastest 4x100m relay with a time of 48.96 and was voted the school’s Most Outstanding Female Athlete in 2025.
“On the track side of things, Taylor will come in and help to fill some holes that are going to open up as a pretty talented group of seniors is set to graduate this year,” Collins said. “She has some big shoes to fill, but she has already shown she is quite capable and is very motivated to do so. She is a great student and will undoubtedly make those around her better. It will be fun to see her progress in the program.”
Paul Kent – Sandpoint, Idaho/Sandpoint HS
Kent is a senior at Sandpoint High School and will join the men’s cross country team in the fall. He ranks sixth all-time at Sandpoint in the 5k, is second in the 3200m (9:34.46) and fifth in the 1600m (4:26.82). Kent helped the Bulldogs to four straight cross country district titles and a pair of track and field district championships. He earned three cross country all-district honors and was the district champion in the 3200m last season. Kent also earned a runner-up finish in the 1600m as districts and medaled at State in the 3200m (4th place) and 1600m (6th place). Academically, he was named a Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and helped Sandpoint to the Cross Country Academic State Championship in 2023.
“We believe Paul will surprise a lot of people,” Collins explained. “He had a standout year as a sophomore but then was set back his junior year with injuries and is just now getting back on track. He melded well with the guys on his visit, and I have no doubt he will excel in our environment here.”
Zion Boyd – Enterprise, Ore./Enterprise HS
Boyd is in her final year at Enterprise High School in Oregon and has experience on the LC State home course. The senior clocked a personal-best time of 19:11 in the 5k, which ranks fourth in school history, at the course in the Orchards. She helped her team to three-straight second-place finishes at the State meet and was named All-State Honorable Mention. Boyd finished third in the 3,000m at the Oregon 2A State meet in 2025 and was seventh in the 1,500m.
“Both Paul and Zion will be coming into a cross country program that lost a large number of senior graduates on both the men’s and women’s teams, so their talents will be needed right away to help ensure that the tradition that has been held here for so long continues,” Collins said. “Zion comes from one of the best small school running programs in Oregon and her coaches there have done a great job in slowly progressing her. We believe she will take some big steps as she adjusts to college life and the longer distance of races.”
