State track
State Track
4A/3A
When/where: Edgar Brown Stadium, Pasco, Friday and Saturday field events 9:30 a.m., running events 10:30.
Rogers sensation Becca Noble is only the headliner for what could be a stellar weekend for Greater Spokane League athletes. Lewis and Clark’s Briann January (high jump), Shadle’s Catie Schuetzle (long jump) and Mead’s Corissa Hutchinson (discus) are also defending champions. Shadle’s Bryan Braman (high jump, javelin), Ferris’ Cameron Elisara (shot put), Mead’s Bron Tomeo (pole vault), Ferris’ Ben Poffenroth (800) and the LC 800 relay team (Ula Tuala, Brittany Kennedy, Ren Mallory, Hilary Love) are all 4A leaders in their events. Poffenroth, Elisara, Robert Davis (200, 400), Anthony Zachery (100), Robert Crosby (3,200), Steve Olson (3,200) and the 1,600 relay team (Brian Hutchinson, Poffenroth, Joey Roberts, Davis) could put Ferris in line for a state trophy with Shadle because of Braman, the 400 relay and shot putter Mitch Kamstra, a dark horse. … Inglemoor is the defending boys champion, but like runner-up Mead isn’t expected to be in the chase. Ballard and Central Kitsap, with good sprinters and hurdlers making up impressive relays, Gig Harbor and Everett are considered the favorites. … Curtis and runner-up Rogers, won’t be in the hunt for a girls trophy. Bellarmine Prep, Gig Harbor, Lake Stevens and Wenatchee are favored. In the 14 individual events for girls, nine defending champions return, including five from the GSL. That doesn’t include Noble, who isn’t defending her 200 title to go after the 800.
The 3A portion of the meet isn’t as top-heavy for the GSL – Rashad Toussaint of West Valley leads the state in the long jump and triple jump – but there are still several contenders for titles. East Valley boys and North Central girls won regional team titles. … EV’s Knights advanced Chris Shearer in the high jump and javelin, Cody Irby in the javelin, David Howard in the shot put, Keith Holt in the 400 and Anthony Laborin in the 200 plus the 1,600 relay team (Sam Hale, Laborin, Matt Tonani, Holt). For NC, Anna Walters is going in the 200 and 400, Mary Graesser in the 1,600 and 3,200, Shantel Haugen in the javelin, Ashlee Michelson in the discus and pole vaulters Kendall Mays and Krista Hoffman plus the 1,600 relay (Stephanie Krebs, Whitney Ramsey, Graesser, Walters). WV could figure into the mix if Toussaint comes through with discus thrower Kevin Lemieux, 400 runner Marc Smith and the 1,600 relay (Curtis Fitzhugh, Wes Riehle, Smith, Chris Vennum). … Its tough for East Side teams to challenge for 3A team titles because only two advance out of regional. O’Dea is favored to repeat as boys champion with Timberline and Renton among the challengers. … Holy Names, runner-up behind Rainer Beach last year, is the girls favorite, with West Valley-Yakima and Highline also considered to challenge.
2A/1A/B
When/where: Woodward Field, Cheney, Thursday 3:30 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. Saturday field events 9:30 a.m., running events 10.
King’s is the favorite in both 2A races. Pullman, second on the boys side three points behind South Whidbey, should be in line for a team trophy. Lakeside-Nine Mile Falls and Pullman could both contend on the girls side. Pullman was third last year behind Woodland and Steilacoom with then freshmen Lindsay Myron and Lexie Fairbanks 1-2 in the triple jump. Not one of the 15 individual boys champs return, but two of King’s 1A champs, Calvin Fuuji (shot put) and Michael Davis (javelin) move up. Krystal Deyo of Castle Rock (100), Cydney Knight of Connell (3,200) and Cassie Merkley of Cascade-Leavenworth (100 hurdles) are back for the girls, plus 1A javelin champ Sara Mosiman of King’s. … Newport is heavily favored in the 1A boys behind: sprinter Tony Yeaw; hurdlers Justin Emel, Ian Weber and Adam Walton; distance runner Tony Thelin; and discus thrower Cory Flesher; plus a class-best 43.34 seconds in the 400 relay. The Grizzlies were sixth in 2A last year with Weber winning the 110 hurdles. Freeman, state champs in 2000 and 2003, should threaten behind Kevin Hatch, the 1A leader in high jump and the defending champion, long jump and pole vault, where he is the two-time defending champion. The only other returning champ is Sean Rice of Life Christian, who edged Hatch for the triple jump crown. Seattle Academy has qualified 18 entries, as has Newport with Zillah also a contender. Seattle Academy is also a girls contender after finishing second to King’s last year. Cedar Park Christian, Rainer and Bellevue Christian also have high hopes. Returning champs include Jane Larson of Cedar Park Christian (1,600, 3,200, but not the 800, which she won last year), Allison Leonard of Seattle Academy (triple jump) and Whitney Bryant of Winlock (shot put). … Tacoma Baptist, which won the 1A boys title last year, is favored in the B’s, as are the TB girls. Mount Vernon Christian and North Beach should be in the hunt with Northport a dark horse. Kittitas and South Bend tied for the title last year. Other girls contenders are defending champion Riverside Christian, runner-up DeSales and Pateros. A number of local schools could get into the mix. The only returning champions are from District 7, Newport’s Chad Butorac (100, 200) and Franklin Chambers (javelin), Wilbur-Creston’s Justin Powell (high jump) and Braidy Haden (400) and Springdale’s Adam Thompson (triple jump). The returning girls champions from District 7 and 9 are Reardan’s Jenny Knezovich (800) and Andrea Wujek of DeSales (300 hurdles). Others include Sharelle Wells of Riverside Christian (100 hurdles, triple jump) and Annie Hess of Bickleton (shot put) plus 1A champs Kelsey Dunne of Adna (both hurdles) and Tara Leaman of Tacoma Baptist (discus).