It’s Shaping Up To Be Close Race In Gsl Girls Track

Greater Spokane League girls track teams are facing the prospect of a close race this year.

At least that’s how it is in the eyes of Mead coach Annette Pedersen.

“It’ll be real even,” she predicted. “It will probably be whoever has the better day, who has kids who are not hurt. Time will tell.”

Because of graduation and defection, the two-time defending league champs and last year’s state winner could be vulnerable.

Shadle Park continues to build, Gonzaga Prep and Rogers are improved. North Central is the only North Side team expected to struggle.

“We’re real young,” said first-year coach Matt Wakabayashi. “We may take it in the eyeballs as a varsity.”

Mead state placer hangs it up

Graduation hurts all teams. But not having a three-event placer return from a state championship team is unusual.

Last year’s fifth-place state high jumper and runner on two championship relays, Emily Williams, did not turn out.

“It hurts, but we’re going to do the best we can,” said Pedersen.

The Panthers do bring back senior state-placing distance runner Katie Pollock and junior sprinter Abby Hornstein.

The team also remains strong in the jumps, led by seniors Jamie Wakefield in the horizontal events and Kori Pfundheller and Jeni Lancaster in the high jump.

It’s solid in the throws with returning regional shot-put placer Jen Bennett, 121-foot javelin thrower Janelle Edington and regional discus placer April Gallagher, a transfer from Shadle Park.

Depth in previously strong sprint and hurdles events comes from seniors Alisha Simchuk and Kelly Curry, joined by sophomore Megan Whitman, Michelle Gemmell, Jennifer Jensen and Jaci Pelton.

Distance help comes from juniors Rachae Probst, Annie McCabe, Stacie Drollinger and senior Heidi Bartholomew.

Javelin throwers include Heidi Gerke, Pfundheller and Brandi Curry. Shot put-discus throwers are Leah Merrell and Elysia Hanna.

Other jumpers include Erin Helms, Kate Gibbons, Ali Bailey and Jenny Frazier.

Newcomers spark Highlanders

A group of incoming sprinters, hurdlers and distance runners will push Shadle Park veterans this year.

“From what I’ve seen,” said coach Ivan Corley, “if we keep everyone healthy we’ll be in good shape.”

The Highlanders bring back district sprint veterans Vanessa Larkin, Carolyn Nelson, Emily Steckler and sophomore Rachel Hayes.

Joining them are freshmen prospects Katie Schurra, Kerri Laddish and Anastasia Shyvers.

In the distances, Julie Sawatzky is back. Although injury has forced Ali Krogel to shift to the long and triple jumps, Christa Eidi returns after missing last year due to injury.

Joining them are sophomores Lanaia Jones, Brook Shelmon, Frankie Stone and freshman Erin Krogel.

Jamie Pfister and Rachel Rush are veteran hurdlers and freshmen Lisa Hansen and Amy Ridings have run well already.

The loss of Gallagher didn’t help the throwing events. But freshman Shalonda Tate is already approaching 38 feet in the shot put and Missy Alake is in the mid-30s.

Junior Angela Tate and district veteran Angie Hoard also return in the shot and discus, along with junior Rachael Garnett.

Javelin throwers are new senior Melissa Chadwick and sophomores Holly Fay and Tricia Simmons.

The jumps are covered by Krogel, Larkin, junior Andy Hannon and freshman Krissy Forry.

“This freshman class all has strengths,” said Corley. “This class has a lot of potential.”

Prep balance is strength

Gonzaga Prep returns several of its top scorers and has added 38 freshman this year.

“We aren’t incredibly strong in any one event, but we’re really balanced,” said coach Terry Kelly.

Returnees include North Side hurdles star and relays runner Lisa Bradley. The senior athlete was eighth in state in the 100-meter hurdles last year.

Marisa Jenkins, who missed last year with a knee injury, Marguerite Collins, Sophia Housam and senior Brianne Evans compete in sprints and distances.

Others include versatile senior Kara Laney, a 100 through 800 meter runner and jumper.

Joining her is sprinter-high jumper Caryn Nadeau, juniors Katie Mayer, Sarah McLaughlin and sophomore Santina McCain and jumper Whitney Wesley.

Throwers are juniors Melissa Conrad, Cassondra Hill, Kathleen Davey and sophomore Kelsey Wesley.

Distance runners are sophomore Jill Larson, senior Julie Bingaman and junior Lisa Struss.

NC to purposely take lumps

The NC girls track team is young and Wakabayashi may keep his freshmen away from varsity competition.

In the process, expect the Indians to take their lumps.

“My plan is not to throw people to the dogs, keep them together as freshmen, have success and hope our future is right there,” he said.

Of his team, only freshman sprinter Julie Lehman is a likely varsity bet. Senior shot put-discus throwers Carrie Payne and Darcy O’Neill are the most experienced returnees.

“It looks grim,” said Wakabayashi, formerly NC’s volleyball coach. “But I know winning can happen, I was part of it. Hopefully it can happen in track.”

Pirates double their turnout

In her second year as head coach, Shaney Redmon has doubled the girls track turnout to 41 participants.

Problem is, she will scarcely be part of it. Redmon is enrolled in the Spokane Police Academy which is taking up her entire day.

“I’ll help a little bit, but not much,” she said. “My husband, Fred, is there most of the time.”

Returning to the team is junior Carrie Curtis, a state hopeful in the 400 and 800 meter runs.

Also back are senior sprinter Latoya Bennett, hurdles runners Kary’l Sands, Anecia Grigsby and hurdlerjumper Amber Conrath, as well as sophomore hurdlers Sandra Cannon an Paula Zammit.

Newcomers are distance runners Shelley Zahrowski, Trisha Cumpton, Kristi Hines and Kelly Jochee, plus cross country runner Amanda Lopez.

Freshman Taneisha Tilque will do three jumps, sprints and relays. Another freshman sprinter is Shannon McPhee.

Throwers are also all new, but show promise, said Redmon.

Included are freshman April Fairbanks, sophomore Stephanie Hill and Lallah Marston, who also runs distances.

Two weeks ago the Pirate boys and girls won their first combined dual track meet in five years.

“We were pretty excited,” said Redmon. “The kids in the next few years are going to be good.”

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