Track Down To The Wire Mead Boys, U-Hi Girls Among Top Contenders

Will the Mead boys score 50 points? Can the University girls score score 40?

The rule of thumb for the State AAA track meet says 50 points puts a team in contention for the championship, 40 for a team trophy.

Mead has a good chance to defend its boys title behind the 1-2 punch of distance stars Micah Davis and Skiy DeTray. The only things keeping them from going 1-2 in the 3,200 and 1,600 meters - which would produce 36 points - are illness, injury, Ferris challenger Zack Ventress and Newport’s Eric Mickleson in the 1,600.

Although the remaining Panthers headed to Tacoma for StarTrack XIV aren’t favorites to win state titles, all have the potential to place, which would push Mead closer to that magical 50.

“We got everybody in that we felt were going to be scorers,” Mead coach Pat Tyson said after last weekend’s regional meet. “We are definitely one of the favorites with Richland and Kent-Meridian.”

Anthony Gardner of Rogers has a chance to win the triple jump and Central Valley’s 1,600 relay is leading the state. Now that Craig Allen of University has become a consistent 6-8 high jumper, if he can match or exceed his best of 6-10, he is a threat.

Gabe Garrett of River Ridge is a threat for the sprint triple crown, running 10.63 in the 100, 21.57 in the 200 and 48.12 in the 400 last weekend.

U-Hi’s prospects are much less predictable because of where the Titans’ strengths lie.

Katherine Hough is a contender in the 100 and 200, but probably isn’t the favorite. With LaShonda Christopher of defending state champion River Ridge, Fran Green of Kamiakin, Marzette Penton of Lakes and Chelsie Pentz of Central Kitsap in one or both of the sprints, points are unpredictable.

Adrienne Wilson is in the picture for second place in the triple jump and long jump behind the remarkable Christopher.

And, with Hough and Wilson swapping anchor legs in the 400 and 800 relays, and Lora Auch and Heather Silvey rounding out the quartets, the Titans have the best times in the state.

“If the kids compete well, get a little lucky, stay healthy and all that stuff, we’ll be in the hunt for a trophy,” U-Hi coach Steve Llewellyn said. “Things are a little different at state. It’s tough. But I like our kids we advanced.”

Mead juniors Autumn Wood and Allison Beatty lead the state in the 300 hurdles and javelin, respectively, as does the Panthers’ 1,600 relay team. Kristen Parrish of Ferris is the defending 800 champion.

Christopher exceeded her state record and pushed her national-leading triple jump to 42-9, scratching on a 44-6 1/2 jump. She’s also the best in the state - by 2 feet - in the long jump, nearing 22 feet. She has chosen to run the 100, matching the state best at 11.9, and anchor the 800 relay instead of running the 200.

Another top individual is Heather Gambill of Battle Ground, the state leader in the shot put and discus.

Class AA

Last year, Garfield freshman Candance Young won four events, counting relays, at the State AA track meet in Spokane. She could do that again in Tacoma, which makes the Bulldogs a contender for the state title. They have been bolstered by more strong freshmen.

Gig Harbor, which beat Garfield last year, won’t give up its title easily. The Gulls are deep and versatile.

The boys race could mirror the best individual matchup. Ben Lindsay led Lynnwood to the state title, but O’Dea, with 60-foot shot putter Kurth Connell, is a threat.

Among the top contenders from the Frontier League are Pullman long jumper Richardo Colon and teammate Chad Schwindeman in the jumps and sprints; West Valley sprinter Cory Gammon and high jumper Brian Lindley; WV’s girls relay teams and WV’s Kaci Stansbury in the shot and discus; East Valley jumper Star Olson; and Cheney distance standout Jeannette Zimmer.

Class A

Chelan appears to have a good chance to unseat the Cashmere boys, with Eric Boyd (javelin, triple jump, long jump, 110s), state cross country champion Hector Rodriquez and freshman sprinter Josh Rogge.

Casacde is a good bet to defend its girls title because Megan Franza is a veteran sophomore. She won the 300 hurdles last year and has run a 44.4 this year. She was second in the high jump and has now cleared 5-10, and was second in the 100 hurdles.

Class B

The race to replace Dayton is wide open, with the Bulldogs still in the hunt for the boys title. Morgan Chase makes Republic a threat because he can win the 100, 200, and 110 and 300 hurdles.

The girls side will be interesting, with 11 of 13 individual champions returning, including sophomore sensation Jill Pimley.

Pimley won the 300 hurdles, long jump and triple jump and was second in the high jump to lift Klickitat to third place behind St. John-Endicott and Ritzville. Pimley passed on the high jump this year and took up the javelin, throwing a class-leading 138-8.

SJE has sophomore Tricia Lamb to challenge in the hurdles and triple jump, junior Andee Schmick in the long jump and distance runner Karen Kile.

Ritzville counters with the Phipps sisters, Katie in the sprints and Robin in the unusual hurdle/long jump/shot put triple.

St. George’s has strong relays, distance runner Edie DeNiro, hurdler Chrissy Peterson and 400 runner Dawn Trowbridge.

The only events without a defending champion are javelin and discus.