Washington 4A/3A track
Where: Edgar Brown Stadium, Pasco
When: Friday, 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m.-3:40 p.m.
Defending team champions: Gig Harbor boys and girls in 4A, Everett boys, Skyline girls in 3A.
Local contenders: The North Central boys, runner-up last year, should be in the mix in 3A with an entry in all but one event on the track and two entries in three of them. Championships may be tough to come by in 4A, but with the right breaks the Central Valley, Mead and Lewis and Clark boys could be in contention. Bellarmine and Gig Harbor girls should put on quite a show and should be in the race for a trophy.
Top individual girls: Ferris senior Kelly McNamee is the defending high jump champion and favored to repeat with a chance to break the elusive 6-foot barrier, last done in Washington a dozen years ago. LC’s Eleanor Siler is the state leader in the 400 and helps the Tigers’ field the fastest 800 relay. Jordan Carlson, a returning 100 and 200 placer, and Brianne Brown, a 400 placer, are rounding into shape after injuries and illness, and give Shadle Park the state-best 1,600 relay. Mead has qualified in all three relays and had the top 1,600 time until last week. … East Valley’s Morgan Dunning is second in the 3A in pole vault with teammate Lori Bourgous a contender in the hurdles. Courtney Zalud of Mt. Spokane can make a run in the 1,600, maybe the 800, and Lindsey Snyder and Jackie Goldman are returning placers in the javelin.
Top individual boys: Mead has the top-seeded high jumper in Anthony Maracich and CV has the fastest 1,600 relay. LC’s Joe Zimmerman leads in the javelin with U-Hi’s Wes Nolen, champion two years ago, and Mead’s Justin Graff, right behind. Zach Robinson should place in the sprints and anchors LC’s contending 400 relay, which includes top-10 shot putter Alex Shaw. Mead’s Keith Webber could factor in the pole vault, as could LC’s Levi Taylor and CV’s William Davis in the triple jump. The doubled up distance trio of Ferris’ Adam Thorne, CV’s Jayson Taylor and Mead’s Kelly Lynch should pick up medals. … In 3A, Case Parker of East Valley is the leader in the 200 and 400 and anchor for the 1,600 relay. NC’s David Butler is second in the 110 and 300 hurdles with teammate Jamie McCain coming on. NC distance runners Leon Dean and Andrew Kimple are strong and the team should get points from sprinter Alex Cassis.