Prep Preview Track & Field

Greater Spokane League Returning state placers

Boys: Chase Naccarato, Mt. Spokane (100 meters, 6th); Keith Williams, NC (800, 5th); Nathan Weitz, Shadle Park (1,600, 2nd; 3,200, 2nd); Wes Bailey, Mead (300h, state champ; 200, 3rd); Andrew Gardner, Mead (1,600, 7th; 3,200, 5th); Damon Unland, Ferris (discus, state champ); Drew Sharkey, Ferris (discus, 2nd); Carson Fuller, Ferris (javelin, 7th).

Girls: Katie Knight, North Central (3,200, 2nd); Katie Morris, Shadle Park (800, 3rd); Kendra Weitz, Shadle Park (3,200, 3rd); Tiara Pajimola, Shadle Park (300 hurdles, 6th); Courtney Bray, Mt. Spokane (pole vault, 2nd); Gianna Damiano, Mt. Spokane (javelin, 8th); Jessica Bennett, Gonzaga Prep (300h, 7th); Courtney Hutchinson, Mead (shot put, 2nd).

League outlook

Mead is heavily favored but Central Valley, which made a run to the semifinals in football and played in the state championship game in basketball, is picked to challenge the Panthers. Mt. Spokane, defending State 3A champ North Central and Ferris figure to wage a tug of war for a top-three finish.

Mead’s girls graduated standout Baylee Mires and league coaches suspect it will be difficult to replace her points.

Central Valley is given the nod over the Panthers. Mt. Spokane, Gonzaga Prep, University and Lewis and Clark are picked to challenge for third in what should be a deep league.

Great Northern League Returning state placers

Boys: Dayde Collins, DP (3,200, 8th); Ben Pavish, Pullman (hj, 8th; tj, 2nd); Adam Mahama, Pullman (discus, 3rd).

Girls: Janessa Day, Cheney (200, 6th; 400, 3rd); Sanne Holland, Cheney (1,600, 3rd; 3,200, state champ; Jamie Weisner, Clarkston (100h, 4th; 300h, 6th; long jump, 6th; javelin, 2nd); Bailee Jacka, Deer Park (pv, state champ); Anna Guo, Pullman (lj, 3rd; tj, 2nd).

League outlook

The Cheney boys have some holes to fill with big points lost to graduation. That might open the door for WV or EV. The Blackhawk girls will have to fend off battles from EV and Deer Park.

Inland Empire League 5A Returning state placers

Boys: Cody Curtis, CdA (1,600, state champ; 3,200, state champ); Austin Funk, PF (discus, 4th); Carlos Martinez, CdA (100, 7th); Josh Peters, LC (400, 5th); Nick Gosselin, LC (400, 7th); Zack Linscott, LC (high jump, 2nd).

Girls: Morgan Stuble, CdA (100 hurdles, 2nd; 300h, state champ); Allison Meehan, PF (triple jump, 5th); Madison Seaman, CdA (discus, 2nd; shot put, 4th); Kierstie Shellman, LC (pole vault, 3rd); Leanne Asper, LC (200, 5th; 400, 5th); Brittany Tackett, CdA (400, 6th); Wednesday Walton, PF (100h, 7th; 300h, 7th); Tori Bertsch, PF (hj, 4th); Carly Garcia, LC (100h, 8th); Megan Ralstin, Lewiston (lj, 7th); Shevaun Ames, Lewiston (hj, 8th); Dani Failor, PF (hj, 8th); Marissa Bernatz, Lewiston (hj, 7th).

Regional outlook

The CdA boys and girls won’t be challenged in the region. The girls, second at state a year ago, will challenge for a state title behind Stuble and Seaman and a fleet of talented sprinters. The boys hope to battle for a top-four placing at state and trophy.

Inland Empire League 4A Returning state placers

Boys: Wade Schumacher, Moscow (110h, state champ; lj, 8th).

Girls: Jordan Ward, Lakeland (high jump, state champ); Nikole Alamillo, Sandpoint (discus, 8th).

Regional outlook

In a three-team region, the school with the most depth usually prevails. So it’s generally a coin flip among the teams. The Moscow boys will score plenty of points with Schumacher and the Lakeland girls have some depth.