Girding For Battle Eagles And Knights Likely To Challenge For Title Again

Frontier boys track

Of all the Frontier League track championships won by West Valley boys, none may have been as surprising as last year’s.

The Eagles had a core of veteran athletes, but it was freshmen depth that enabled them to supplant East Valley atop the league.

They are a year older and, says coach Jim McLachlan, “This is probably the best sophomore class I ever remember.”

Lacking only a true sprinter, WV sophs cover every event.

Based on early-season efforts, the Eagles and Knights will likely do battle again for a league title.

The Knights have exceeded coach Dave McCarty’s expectations with solid outings, particularly in the Big Red Invitational and a dual meet victory over Ferris.

“To be honest, I didn’t anticipate anything,” said McCarty, who was replaced as and then reappointed head coach right before the season, “because I didn’t think I was going to do it.”

Cheney is a likely contender, but the scariest Frontier League team in terms of potential is Pullman. The Greyhounds boast the league’s best athlete and have speed to burn.

“If Pullman gets serious, watch out,” said McLachlan.

Can WV avoid sophomore slump?

Seldom does a track team rest its hopes on the sophomore class, but these are uncommon sophomores, as last year’s title attests.

Not that the Eagles are devoid of senior talent. Vinnie Pecht has already exceeded 180 feet in the discus and joins Ryan Stockton in the shot put.

Javelin thrower Mike Schroder appears healthy following elbow surgery.

He was at least the state’s fourth-best thrower, in excess of 185-feet last year, but stayed home because the league only had one qualifier and a teammate edged him out.

Dave Cooper approached 13-feet in the pole vault last year and will be a part of WV’s sprint group. And Clayton Holmes is a state veteran distance runner.

But the sophomores are strong in their own right. The springy group helps cover all the jumps and Brad Groh, in his first go at the high hurdles, is already approaching sub 16-second territory. He will help junior Joe Oka and sophs Eric Salley and Kevin Lybarger fill the events.

Other sophomore horizontal and high jumpers include Eric Deno, Andy Miller and Sergio Allen, who back juniors Ryan Schroder and Devion Tensley.

Tensley, Deno and freshman Kris Sly are also sprinters.

Pole vaulter Rick Collins is over 13-feet and rising, joined by junior Josh Rieger and fellow sophs Eric Frampton and Jesse Oka.

In the distances, sophomore Sean McLachlan rivals Holmes. They are joined by junior Eric Gorton, sophomore David McNeill and senior 800 runners Steve Moore and Aaron Mortensen.

Sophomore throwers include Ryan Spivey, Chris Sorenson, Trevor Britton and Lee Rotweiller.

“We have some weaknesses, but we have some real good strengths,” said McLachlan.

Quality individuals at EV

Finding depth from a turnout of 85 athletes is critical if the Knights are to return to the top of the league.

“Maybe it’s the facilities,” said McCarty of the large turnout. “Whatever the reason, we have a lot of first-year kids and they’re not all freshmen.”

EV’s refurbished track has put a spring in the athletes’ steps. Enviable throwing facilities have given them incentive. And the team already has quality individuals back.

State veteran juniors Brandon Blize is the league’s top hurdler and Jerry Claridge is among the league’s best jumpers.

Senior Jake Kammers will contend for a state pole vault berth and provide help in track events.

Senior thrower/400 runner Chad Brazington, Ken Skogen and junior Nick Hansen are already improved over last year.

The distances, filled by EV’s league champion cross country runners, are sound.

Behind Blize in the hurdles are Jason Key, freshmen Jessie Nicholson and Kaipo Kuehu.

Sophomore sprinter Adrian Likely ran 11.0 last week. Others are senior newcomers Jon Anderson, Trevor Eastman, Nick Skaufel, Mike Lithgow, junior Jeff Storey and Steven Kimberly.

Seniors Ryan Skinner, Mike Wood, Dustin Sletner, junior Bryan McCarty and Marshall Greene, plus a host of others fill the distances.

Other throwers are veteran senior Charlie Sitton and junior Jared VanDuyne. Junior Mitch Johnson and Blize are 21-foot and 41-foot long and triple jumpers.

Depth in the high jump and pole vault come from freshman Andrew Burgess, who has already cleared 6-2, and Mike Manuel.

“We have a lot of kids, new and returning, with no gaps or spots to really get hurt in,” said McCarty.

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