Great Depth Keeps EV On The Fast Track

Frontier girls track

East Valley’s average margin of victory in Frontier League girls track meets last year was 72 points.

Their closest score was an 87-62 victory over West Valley.

Little should change this year in a league where the Knights are favored to win league. Emphasis for everyone else will ultimately be on individual accomplishment.

Three athletes from the Frontier will qualify for the regional meet against Mid-Valley League schools at Eastern Washington University May 20-21. Two per event qualify from there to Star Track in Tacoma.

The Knights return three state placers and the Eagles two, including a three-event placer, who will be seeking to improve on their performances a year ago.

Electrifying senior WV sprinter-hurdler Staci Adams finished second in the 300 hurdles and placed in the 100 and 200. She also ran a 57.2 400 during the year, giving her four school records in 1998.

Junior teammate Jenny Gregorak finished second in the combined 4A-3A pole vault, which was a non-scoring event.

EV distance runners, juniors Melanie and Melissa Frostad and senior Korinda Godwin placed in the two longer runs and have everything covered from 800 to 3,200 meters.

EV depth is key to success

The defending league champions have won with depth. Getting bodies to state is the team’s ultimate goal.

“We’re pretty good through most areas,” said coach Glenn Gunderson. “But we’re only one deep in the throws and are young.”

Last year the Knights had 12 state qualifiers and only two were seniors.

Included were the Frostads, now juniors, who finished fourth and sixth in the 3,200 and Godwin, who was fourth in the 1,600.

Other state veterans are junior high jumper-sprinter Crystal Gerky who teamed with Godwin, Melissa Frostad and sophomore Gretchen Moore on the state-qualifying 1,600 relay team.

Sophomore Brittany Hauser threw 126-2 in the javelin to reach state.

Sophomore sprinter Randi Orton, juniors Heather Lock, Amanda Kline and hurdler Michelle Estell were part of a state-qualifying short relay team.

Freshman Chris Bartlett is the current sprint leader. Other hopefuls are sophomore Alisha McMillan, Amanda Gillespie and freshmen Karla Rima, Heather Morris and Kendra Williby.

Most will be in the horizontal jumps as well, joining district long jump champion Kelly Daly.

Other hurdlers are Emily Nuchols, Cheree Walser and freshman transfer Paula Soash.

Adding distance depth is freshman Jenny DeGroot.

In the field, Katie Douglas and Stacy Merrill are long jumpers. Merrill and Carmen Moss pole vault.

High jumpers include Andrea Meckel and Alicia Tonani.

Rachelle Schultz leads shot putters and will be joined by newcomers Danielle Beeman, Megan Bourgeous and freshman Sara Guszregan.

“What we lack is depth in the throws,” said Gunderson. “But we’ll still be tough if the kids keep coming along.”

Eagle roster filled with youth

If it were possible, Adams could run and win five events for the Eagles. She also could be a factor on three relays.

Part of that is because she’s so talented.

“She could be a great 100 meter hurdler but I think we’ll not mess with that,” said coach Dori Robertson.

Part is because WV has so much youth. Adams is one of just two seniors on the team. So she’ll likely concentrate on the long hurdles and perhaps the longer sprints.

A lot depends upon how the young sprinters, sophomore Kelly Cole, a 15-9 long jumper, Adrienne Tucker, and junior Kim Williams improve.

Distances are covered by sophomores Kelsie Lounder, Jamie Peterson, Felice Butler and Shauna Honcoop and freshman K.C. Warren.

Hurdlers are sophomore Jaime Doran, Melissa Mathis and perhaps junior pole vaulter Gregorak.

Field events include a number of throwers, including sophomore javelin throwers Shannon Groh, Stephanie Lawler and Keirstin Stansbury, junior newcomer Amanda Holstrom and freshman Mary McLachlan.

Sophomores Tina Ferguson and Sara Biesen are back in the high jump and could double in the horizontal jumps. Freshman Heidi Decker is learning them.

Besides Gregorak, pole vaulters are freshmen C.C. McIntyre and Christine Carey.

“We have good athletes out there,” said Robertson. “Hopefully, with seasoning, they’ll come on at the end.”