Northport’s Goodwin seeks four titles

By now Kaprina Goodwin should know who, if anyone, is going to challenge her as the dominant personality at the State 1B track and field meet that starts today at Eastern Washington University. “I haven’t looked,” Goodwin said last week after easily qualifying in the four events in which she is the defending state champion – 100- and 300-meter hurdles, long and triple jumps. “I try not to look until I’m there.”

Don’t think Goodwin’s four state titles are the result of the B schools splitting last year.

Sure, the competition is less challenging, but as a freshman and sophomore she went to state in three events and placed all six times, with a state title.

Goodwin, of Northport, is favored to duplicate her four titles, but she enters the two-day meet like she does every meet.

“I always feel the pressure,” she said. “I always want to do my best. I try to push myself in practice and use (personal records) for motivation.”

Her numbers so far: 15.64 seconds in the 100 hurdles and 46.67 in the 300s, 17 feet, 5 inches in the long jump and 35-11 in the triple jump.

Besides, there are some high-quality 2B competitors she can use for motivation, such as Tekoa-Oakesdale/Rosalia senior Ashley Stabl, one of the best hurdlers in the state (15.62, 45.47), and La Salle long jumper Alexis Bonny (17-7 1/2).

Despite all the success in track, volleyball is the sport of choice for the 6-foot Goodwin.

“Volleyball is like the ultimate team sport,” she said. “No matter what, at least three players are involved every single play.”

Track isn’t far behind.

“It’s fun – it’s something to do in the spring,” Goodwin said. “I like sports and I’m competitive. You’re out there by yourself.”

Despite her success – if Goodwin wins all four events, she’ll have 124 state points for her four-year career, which would be the most for a B athlete in state competition and fourth overall – this marks the end of her track career.

“I’ve never been asked by a (college) coach to come do track, so I never thought about it,” she said.

Besides, she already has a volleyball scholarship from Gonzaga University for the fall.

Goodwin missed a chance to compete against the area’s best at this spring’s Pasco Invite because of a volleyball tournament and doesn’t concern herself with missing the challenge.

“What I don’t know doesn’t hurt me,” she said.

What she does know, though, should help her run faster and jump farther.