State Champions From ‘96, ‘95 Lead Talent-Deep Ferris Team

Thu., March 27, 1997

John Miller Correspondent

GSL girls track and field

A glance at the Ferris girls track roster might prove a frightening experience for opponents this year.

Two state champions return to a team that looks even deeper than last season, when the Saxons were fourth in the GSL and second in state. Then, senior Jennifer Smith captured the 3,200 meter crown and junior Missy Blackshire cruised to victory in the 800 at Tacoma’s Lincoln Bowl. Joining them will be junior Mariah McConnaughey, who won at state in 1995 at 1,600 meters. “The outlook for this year is great,” said coach Jim Missel. “We have depth in all events with both young and experienced athletes.”

The mood also is decidedly upbeat at Lewis and Clark, with plenty of returning depth from last year’s team. The 1996 Tigers followed up a third-place GSL finish with a seventh-place effort at state.

“I lost four key seniors, but I’ve got a good bunch of kids coming back,” head coach Mark Vandine said.

Gonzaga Prep returns a core of strong athletes as well, with seven of its top senior scorers back.

Heading into tonight’s preseason meet at West Valley, the team looks to be even throughout its lineup.

“We aren’t incredibly strong in any one event, but we’re really balanced,” said coach Terry Kelly. “This is probably one of the best teams we’ve had in 10 years.”

Even with such an imposing Saxon team back, Ferris coach Missel knows an early litmus test will be the Big Red Invitational on Saturday at Ferris. There, the Saxons will face Mead for the first time this season in what promises to be one of the most competitive matchups in the GSL.

“I think Mead’s going to be pretty tough this year,” Missel said. “It will give us an early indication of how we’ll be.”

Jill Johnson, a sophomore, returns for the Saxons in the distance events, along with junior Emily Hawkins. Sprinter and high-jumper Sabrina Brazzle is back to join fellow sophomores Casey Carlson, Amy Greyhek and Jenna Major, along with senior Erica Grice, in the speed events.

Sophomore Julie Weatherred remains at hurdles and jumps.

Throwers include juniors Katie Dubois at discus and javelin, Meghan Flaherty at shot, Karie Pruett at javelin and shot, and Amy George in shot, discus and the jumps. Rounding out the team’s throwers are sophomores Andrea Estes, in all three events, and Ryan Everson, a javelin thrower, and senior Kristan Blackhart, also at javelin.

Three years ago, when LC coach Vandine took over the reins of the track program, he could barely scrape up 50 kids - between the boys and the girls. This year, he’s got about that same number on each team.

“I’m trying to get the kids excited about track,” Vandine says. “If it leads to some success, great. But if those kids are having fun, then that’s what is important.”

The girls had plenty of fun last year at state and could send even more kids back to Tacoma this season. Jamie Rosenquist, a sophomore, is back after placing sixth at Star Track in the 800 meters. So is sophomore Teresa Brooks, who was third in the 400 meters and anchored the state champ 1,600-meter relay team that also included returning senior Keri Nichols.

Jamie Borgan, a junior, hopes to follow up her fourth-place finish this fall at the state cross country championships in the distance events on the oval.

Other returners include juniors Jessica Dinneen, a 300-meter hurdler and long-jumper, Sara Larsen-Cooper, distance, Deonna Ford, high jump, and Meg McCleary in the 800 meters, senior Jessica Filo in long jump and sprints, and sophomore Megan MacKenzie, who was fifth at regionals last year in the triple jump.

Lewis and Clark also opens its season this weekend at the Big Red Invitational at Ferris.

Kara Laney, a South Hill senior, leads a crew of GSL-tested returners at Gonzaga Prep. Laney is an all-around performer from 100 to 800 meters and in the jumps. Other seniors include Caryn Nadeau in the sprints and relays and Whitney Wesley in the jumps.

Bullpup throwers are bolstered by juniors Melissa Conrad at shot and discus, and Cassondra Hill at discus and javelin, and sophomore Kelsey Wesley at discus, javelin, and shot put. Juniors Katie Mayer and Sarah McLaughlin are just two of the team’s returning 400-meter and relay speedsters.

“We’re going to have some surprises this year,” coach Kelly said. “We have 38 freshman out for the team, and they’re a very strong group.

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