GSL Preview Track and field

Distances

The depth is in the boys – no surprise with Mead (4A) and North Central (3A) winning state cross country titles last fall. NC leads the way with Andrew Kimpel, second in State 3A cross country, and teammates Leon Dean, Steve Hicks, Jeff Howard and Alex Avila. Mt. Spokane’s Allan Schroeder is also strong. Runners in 4A to watch among Mead’s Panthers include Kelly Lynch, eighth in state cross country, Shadle Park’s Dan Renz and a host of Central Valley Bears. The only track medals last spring went to Dean in the 800 (seventh) and 1,600 (sixth) and Kimpel in the 3,200 (sixth). … For the girls it starts with 4A cross country champion Andrea Nelson, a sophomore at Shadle, who was third in the 3,200 and second in the 1,600. Mead freshman Baylee Mires is one to watch and CV has depth. Mt. Spokane’s Courtney Zalud was fourth in the 3A 800 and 16th in state cross country where the Wildcats took fifth. NC’s Rachel Ballard and East Valley’s Lauren Bergam are others to watch.

Sprints/hurdles

The top returnee among the boys is EV senior Case Parker, who was second in the 3A 400. NC’s David Butler was fourth in the 110 hurdles. In 4A, Brandon Walker of Shadle was fifth in the 300 hurdles and CV’s James Adams was seventh in the 400. Shadle’s Jordan Carlson was fourth in the 4A girls 100 and 200 and Lewis and Clark’s Eleanor Siler was second in the 400, one spot ahead of Shadle’s Brianne Brown, and eighth in the 200. McNamee had a sixth in the 100 hurdles to go with her high jump title. In the 3A 100 hurdles, EV’s Laurie Bourgeous was sixth.

Throws

Javelin is the premier event in the area. In addition to Nolen’s return, LC’s Joe Zimmerman was third, one spot ahead of Mead’s Justin Graff. Shadle’s Sara Nichols was also third and Mt. Spokane returns Lindsey Snyder (second) and Jackie Goldman (sixth) from a trio of 3A state medalists. The other state scorer was Mt. Spokane’s Rachel Damiano, fifth in the discus.

Jumps/pole vault

McNamee is the headliner. The only event with two returning placers is the 4A girls long jump, with Mead’s Jazmine Redmon sixth and LC’s Brittany Kennedy seventh. Mt. Spokane’s Brandon Jared was fourth in the 3A long jump.

Team outlook

The Shadle girls and CV boys won league titles, but the top placers at state were the Mead girls and NC boys, both second. The Shadle girls were fourth in 4A and Mt. Spokane girls third in 3A. Shadle is favored to repeat. Mead’s boys are the favorite.

Notes

League meets started Wednesday before taking next week off for spring break. … Key dates include April 19 for the Pasco Invitational and April 26 for the Mooberry Relays at Rogers. … New coaches are Doug Fry doing double duty at U-Hi and Pat Pfeifer for the LC girls after missing last season with illness. … The district meet at SFCC is May 8-9. The regional is May 16-17 at Richland. … State remains at Pasco May 25-26.