Mead Hopes To Keep Meet Winning Streak Running

Mead High School’s boys track team last lost a dual meet 16 years ago.

The statistics are mind-boggling. Should the Panthers finish unbeaten this year, they will have won 150 straight dual meets, said coach Gary Baskett. His 19 year record will be an incredible 188-2.

“People take our championships for granted and don’t realize how tough that is,” said Baskett. “Some of our kids were not even born when we lost our last meet,”

North Central’s new track coach Matt Wakabayashi was. Track is his latest coaching endeavor at a school where he’s taught for two decades.

He and new Rogers boys coach Aaron Hansen, like others in the GSL, will have their hands full with the Panthers, whose juggernaut is expected to roll on.

Panthers get you many ways

The sprint crew that helped win Mead’s third straight state championship last year has graduated.

But with a turnout of more than 150 boys getting instruction from 14 coaches, it shouldn’t matter.

Back are three of the GSL’s top four shotputters, Scott McGlocklin, Jason DeJong and Ossim Hatem. Others include Matt Williams and Scott Sulpizio. Hatem is a junior, the rest seniors. All will throw beyond 50-feet.

Discus throwers include Joe Collier, already approaching 160 feet, DeJong, Chris Morgan and junior Andy Johnston.

Cody Ferguson returns in the javelin, backed by Troy Ferguson and baseball refugee Chris Callahan.

Pole vaulter Shawn Gumke has already cleared 14 feet 6 inches. Others are Bryan Preuss and junior sprinter Zack Cassel.

Casey Clark is a 6-8 high jumper, backed by junior hurdler Eric Stuzman, Ed Reid, Jason House and John Lindow.

In the horizontal jumps are seniors Chris McCullough and Pat Hudson, both 22-foot long jumpers, juniors Joe Zelinski, a Gonzaga Prep transfer, Mark Stenersen and senior Tyler Bishop.

On the track, Mead has a horde of distance runners from a state cross country championship team. Among them are seniors Morgan Thompson, Jason Fayant, Damon Ristau, brothers Ryan and Chad Wiser and sophomore Tommy Becker.

The horizontal jumpers all sprint, along with senior Zack Grimm (back after a year’s absence), sophomores Kris Griffin and Troy Bishop.

Other hurdlers are senior veteran Dustin Hardin and sophomore Chris Bertholf.

Playing numbers game at NC

Wakabayashi was NC volleyball coach for 11 years. For nine of those, the Indians boasted playoff teams.

He left coaching for six years, got back in as an assistant in football two years ago and took over track when Joe Schauble retired.

“I’ve been around track for 20-some years,” Wakabayashi said.

North Central’s turnout doesn’t approach Mead’s, with 35 or 40 athletes turning out. But there is talent.

Senior shot putter Brett Jordan just missed a state bid last year and David Sandberg is approaching 50 feet. He’ll also sprint.

“David’s a lot quicker than you figure at 200 pounds,” said his coach.

Distance runners Jon Caballero and Justin Hill have state cross country experience.

Distance veterans are Brad Dahlquist, Brian Donovan and Wes Perez.

Other sprinters are juniors Adam Delacruz, Jim Lehman, freshman Ben Johnson and Brandon Roth.

District qualifying juniors Rich Bosaaen and Ty Carter run the hurdles and senior Stacey Bruce pole vaults.

Jump hopefuls are senior newcomer Brandon Harmer and sophomore Tom Koehler.

Shadle has nice combination

Seniors with state-meet potential and a strong sophomore group provide dual meet depth at Shadle.

“We have solid veterans and most of the newcomers have been in the program a year or two,” said Corley. “They’re developed.”

State placing cross country runner Casey Perry is healthy this spring and leads the distances.

If returnee Oliver Cook passes his eligibility hearing, the Highlanders will have a state placing javelin thrower in the lineup.

Also back are regional qualifying triple jumper Sam Glanzer, discus thrower Chris Anderson and intermediate hurdler Adam Peters.

Shadle sprinters include returnee Dylan Underhill, plus talents in sophomore Anthony Walters and freshman Demetrius Scott.

Distance runners are sophomores Jeff Klages, Scott Nelson Tyron Lindquist, Rocky Steele and junior Eric Wynne.

“I’m pleased with the new kids,” said Corley.

Junior Lindsey Moon, sophomore Greg Forni and freshman Joe Sullivan provide hurdles depth.

In the field, weight throwers are juniors Darin Corte, Brian Swanson, Brock Fehler and senior John Ball. Ben Pate and Marty Lund throw the javelin.

Jumpers include junior Grant Caldwell, sophomores Mike Boston and Tim Rainer.

Pirates build with youth

Aaron Hansen became interim coach following a shakeup last season before being officially named head of the Rogers’ track program.

This year’s team is young.

“We’ve got a better turnout than last year,” he said, “and a good freshman group. We’re building a foundation.”

Veterans include distance runners, senior Cam Hatch and sophomore Ryan Craig.

They are joined by veteran 400-800 meter runner Buddy Honshell, senior Matt Burnham and freshmen Lerrin Hatch and Chris Olinger.

Also returning is senior sprinter-pole vaulter Aaron Evans and junior horizontal jumper Max Devore.

Providing an instant impact has been freshman sprinter Isaac Solomon, backed by javelin thrower Chris Parrat. A third freshman, Lucas Anderson runs the 400.

First-time senior Brian Safran, sophomore Greg Pugh and freshman Ryan Dravland man the hurdles.

Solomon and Pugh join Devore in the horizontal jumps. Kris Clarke and freshman Ryan Anstrom pole vault.

Weight throwers include juniors Justin Ulmer, Marshall Sims and sophomore Adam Lindsey.

Lindsey, junior Chris Plumb, Toby Lee, and freshman Titus Lucas throw the javelin.

Multi-faceted athlete leads Prep

Just because Gonzaga Prep North Side senior Ryan Turner can enter only four events in a dual track meet, it should provide little solace for opposing teams.

A decathloner, Turner’s good in nearly anything he enters, especially the pole vault, where he finished seventh at state a season ago.

The only problem for Bullpup coaches now is choosing which events for him to do in any given meet, said assistant coach Terry Kelly.

“If we could, we’d put Ryan in eight events,” Kelly said.

Joining Turner are North Side senior sprinter Joe Basta, high jumper Mark Eggar and pole vaulter Justin Dahman, plus distance runners, senior Kevin Carlin, juniors Phil Long and middle distance runner Chris Shogan.

“Distances will be our strong point,” said Kelly.

Included are senior Kirk Larson and juniors Jim Rucker and Rick White.

Other Prep sprinters are senior Phil Saraceno and sophomores Kelvin Bacon and Nick Shrope.

Hurdlers are Pat Rusca and Mark Doolittle; Chris Gum is in the throws.

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