League Track & Field outlooks

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KingCo 4A

Favorite: Inglemoor, Eastlake.

Contenders: Garfield, Juanita, Lake Washington.

Top athletes: (state finishes where applicable) Mallory Higgins, Eastlake, Sr., 2nd in 100 hurdles; Chelsye Wika, Juanita, Sr., sprints; Quanitta Underwood, Garfield, Jr., 6th 200, jumps; Jennifer Marsh, Juanita, Jr., 8th 400; Tessa Steel, Eastlake, Sr., 7th 1,600; Andrea Eiseman, Inglemoor, Sr., sprints; Amy Lia, Bothell, Jr., distance; Ashley McDougall, Redmond, So., 800, distances; Caitlin Courey, Inglemoor, Sr., javelin.

Notable: Eastlake won league title in 2000 and Inglemoor won last year after Lake Washington won six titles in seven seasons. Wika was top 200 runner in state during indoor season and had state-best time of 25.7 after first week outdoors. Along with Lisa Butler and Marsh, Rebels have three of four runners back from last year's state-championship team in 400 relay. ... Inglemoor returns 1,600 relay that was fifth at state: Eiseman, Elizabeth Maksim, Michelle Wilson and Jill Steele.

WesCo North Division

Favorites: Snohomish, Stanwood.

Contenders: Lake Stevens, Marysville-Pilchuck.

Athletes to watch: (state finishes where applicable) Amber Simkins, M-Pilchuck, Sr., 800; Lucy Miller, Snohomish, So., 4th 1,600, 2nd 3,200; Emily Enders, Snohomish, Jr., 5th pole vault; Emily Kling, Snohomish, Jr., 2nd long jump and triple jump; Kaitlyn Waterhouse, Snohomish, Sr., 5th long jump, 4th triple jump; Nikki Tepley, Stanwood, Jr., 4th 3A 400; 100, 200, relays; Zoe Urness, Stanwood, Sr., 6th 3A 800; 1,600, 3,200; Amber Nickelson, Lake Stevens, So., 1,600, 3,200; Taryn Adams, Lake Stevens, So., 300 hurdles; Devin Wall, Stanwood, Jr., 8th in 3A long jump; Maisie Todd, Lake Stevens, Jr., 5th in 3A shot put, 8th in discus; Darcy Madsen, Stanwood, Jr., 7th in 3A discus; Kim Bascom, Stanwood, Sr., triple jump; Kerry Madsen, Stanwood, Sr., sprints, 400, relays; Megan Boehme, Stanwood, Jr., sprints, 400, relays; Michelle Handelsman, Stanwood, Jr., discus, hurdles, jumps; Jackie Mundell, Snohomish, Sr., discus, shot; Kimberly Penze, Stanwood, Fr., hurdles, jumps; Stacy Holtmann, Stanwood, Fr., 1,600, 3,200.

Notable: Snohomish retains depth and talent from last year's Class 4A state champion. Leading the way for the Panthers are state-title contenders Miller, Enders, Kling and Waterhouse. As a freshman in 2001, Miller took second at state to Enumclaw's Alison Tubbs in 3,200. Kling was runner-up to a pair of seniors in long jump and triple jump. ... Lake Stevens enters the 4A ranks after a fifth at 3A. Stanwood (12th) and Arlington (13th) also move up.

WesCo South Division

Favorites: Kamiak, Shorewood.

Contenders: Shorecrest, Jackson, Edmonds-Woodway, Everett.

Athletes to watch: (state finishes where applicable) Heather Hetzer, Kamiak, Jr., 1st 100, 200 and 400; Akosua Fordjour, Shorewood, So., 8th 100; 200, relays; Tiana Roma, E-Woodway, So., 4th high jump; Kelsey Voetmann, M. Terrace, Jr., 7th shot; Chelsie Harrison, Shorecrest, Jr., 100, 200, relays; Sharon Bjella, Everett, Jr., 2nd 3A high jump; Celia MacLean, Shorewood, Sr., 1,600, 3,200; Nanda McCormick, Shorewood, Jr., 100, 200, hurdles, high jump, relays; Anne Gerhard, Shorewood, So., high jump; Laura Weigel, Shorewood, Jr., pole vault, hurdles, shot; Brittney Moore, Mariner, Sr., 100, 200, relays; Tiara Krismunando, Shorewood, Sr., pole vault, shot; Molly Loesche, Everett, Jr., pole vault; Chandry Moore, Everett, So., 100, 200, relays; Leslie Barton, Everett, Sr., shot; Sarah Revoyr, Lynnwood, So., distance; Melissa Murray, Everett, Jr., sprints, relays; Whitney Michiels, Shorecrest, Jr., sprints, 400, relays; Rachel Botham, Shorewood, Fr., distance.

Notable: Hetzer gives Kamiak a chance for three victories in every meet as the defending 4A champion at 100, 200 and 400. The Knights return many from team that finished sixth, but Shorewood appears to have more depth. For Shorewood, McLean, who just returned from a knee injury, won the WesCo cross-country title. Gerhard is capable of winning high jump at state. ... Everett's Barton won the WesCo 3A shot put title last fall and Bjella was second at 3A state in the high jump with a school-record 5-5.

SPSL North Division

Favorites: Auburn, Kentlake.

Contenders: Kent-Meridian, Sumner, Auburn Riverside.

Athletes to watch: (state finishes where applicable) Robin Mikesh, Auburn Riverside, Sr., two-time state champ in high jump; hurdles, long jump, triple jump; Alison Tubbs, Enumclaw, Sr., 1st 3,200, 2nd 1,600; Ashley Rountree, Kentlake, Sr., 4th 100 hurdles; Sierra Henderson, Auburn, So., 3rd 800; Stevie Marshalek, Kentlake, Jr., 2nd 3A pole vault; Taryn Plypick, Sumner, Jr. jumps, sprints; Kaleena White, Sumner, Jr., long jump; Ellen Murray, Tahoma, Sr., distance; Sara Davis, Kentlake, Sr., 400; Michelle Cross, Auburn, Sr., sprints; Lashawnda Porter, Kent-Meridian, Sr., sprints; Leitawsha Bronson, Kent-Meridian, So., hurdles, throws; Sharee Ellis, Kentridge, So., throws; Alicia Holman, Auburn, Sr., long jump; Ellen Murray, Tahoma, Sr., distance.

Notable: The addition of Kennedy transfer Stevie Marshalek gives Kentlake strong shot at defending division crown. She cleared 12-1 last week, the best SPSL North mark for boys or girls, and has cleared 12-6 indoors. State outdoor record for girls is 12-4. Falcons edged Auburn last week 73-70. ... Enumclaw's Alison Tubbs, who set a state record in 3,200 last year, is still on mend from a foot injury and has yet to race this spring.

SPSL South Division

Favorite: Federal Way.

Contenders: Puyallup, Bethel, Spanaway Lake, Decatur.

Athletes to watch: (state finishes where applicable) Asiha Grigsby, Spanaway Lake, Jr., 1st 100 hurdles, 2nd 300 hurdles; Gayle Imran, Decatur, Sr., 3rd 400 and long jump; 5th 200; Ashley Edwards, Spanaway Lake, Sr., 3rd 400; Kameko Wilson, Bethel, Sr., 4th 400; Danielle Freeman, Jefferson, Sr., 6th long jump; sprints; Robin Harris, Puyallup, Sr., 7th triple jump; long jump; Ashley Pugh, Federal Way, Jr., 7th 100; Jessica Brodie, Emerald Ridge, Jr., javelin, long jump, hurdles; Maggie Pearson, Federal Way, Jr., hurdles; Danitra Powell, Decatur, So., sprints, long jump; Charisa Alefio, Jefferson, Jr., sprints; Annie Lyle, Bethel, Sr., high jump; Allison Jarstad, Federal Way, Sr., pole vault; Katie Graves, Bethel, Sr., hurdles; Cathy Roe, Curtis, Jr., 800.

Notable: Federal Way is shooting for a fifth consecutive division title, and the addition of Denitra Powell, the cousin of Gayle Imran, should help. ... Asiha Grigsby and Ashley Edwards make Spanaway Lake tough.

KingCo 3A

Favorite: Bellevue.

Contenders: Skyline, Issaquah.

Athletes to watch: Jill Bell, Bellevue, Sr., 2nd 400; long jump, relays; Marie Foushee, Bellevue, Sr., 3rd 3,200, 5th 1,600; Leanne Bellar, Bellevue, So., 6th 400; sprints; Maggie MacCool, Skyline, Sr., 4th 800; distance; Lindsay Ludwick, Bellevue, Jr., 3rd 300 hurdles; Sarah Burdick, Issaquah, Jr., 4th long jump; Caitlin Mahoney, Issaquah, Sr., 6th 100 hurdles; Christina Tupper, Skyline, Fr., hurdles, jumps; Kelly Stovin, Newport, Jr., 8th javelin; Dana Allen, Interlake, Jr., sprints; Amy Schaneveldt, Interlake, Sr., PV.

Notable: Newport has won four straight league titles, and Bellevue has finished second four straight times. Wolverines keep getting closer, losing by 18.5 in 2000 and seven last year. This year, Wolverines return four who placed at state and are boosted by addition of McIntyre. ... Freshman Tupper was No. 1 in state in 60 hurdles indoors and No. 5 in long jump at 16-9¾. ... Burdick has been sidelined with stress fractures in both legs.

Metro League

Favorites: Rainier Beach and Holy Names.

Contender: Bishop Blanchet

Athletes to watch: (state finishes were applicable) Ginnie Powell, Rainier Beach, Sr., has two state-meet hurdle records and has scored 86-1/2 points at state in three years to rank No. 3 all-time; Tiffany Filmore, R. Beach, Sr., 6th shot; RaeShannon Bovan, R. Beach 3rd long jump); Angie Jones, Holy Names, Sr., 1st in high jump in '99 and '00, injured last year; Alex Merrick, H. Names, So., 8th 100 hurdles; Jen Weaver, H. Names, Jr., 12th at state cross-country; Bevin Peters, H. Names, Fr., 14th at state CC meet; Ray Rogers, Seattle Prep, Sr., 1st 3,200, 2nd at state CC meet; Noelani Kaneko, Bishop Blanchet, Sr., 3rd 1,600, 5th 3,200; Becca Ivey, Bainbridge, Sr., 2nd 800; Eleanor Miller, Lakeside, Jr., 800.

Notable: Rainier Beach won state 3A track meet, edging Bellevue 57-54. Holy Names won Metro title for fourth straight year. Powell is premier recruit likely to choose Stanford or USC.

Seamount King Division

Favorite: Kennedy.

Contenders: Lindbergh, Renton.

Athletes to watch: (state finishes where applicable) LaChelle Williams, Renton, Sr., 7th 100; Kayla Pettit, Mount Rainier, Sr., tie 6th high jump; 8th 300 hurdles; triple jump; Mallory Moye, Hazen, Sr., 7th state cross country; Stephanie Hardin, Kennedy, So., sprints; Shaina Sinclair, Lindbergh, Jr., javelin; Christina Hentgen, Kennedy, Sr., throws; Danica Franklin, Lindbergh, Sr., jumps, relays; Stephanie Kerns, Kennedy, Sr., 800; Jenny Martini, Mount Rainier, Fr., sprints, hurdles; Kelsey Burns, Kennedy, Fr., jumps, sprints; Stephanie Melrose, Fr., Hazen, 800; Devina Brooks, Renton, Sr., jumps, sprints; Erica Nomura, Highline, Sr., pole vault.

Notable: Kennedy is expected to defend its title. Talented freshman Kelsey Burns is a key addition. ... Mount Rainier's Kayla Pettit has been slowed early by a sore back. The Rams have a new head coach in Nichole Marich. .

Seamount Pierce Division

Favorite: Lakes.

Contender: Peninsula.

Athletes to watch: (state finishes where applicable) Tessa Sagle, Peninsula, Jr., 8th in 4A pole vault; Lakitra Burr, Lakes, Sr., 400, hurdles; Rania Shelton, Peninsula, Sr., hurdles; Erin Simpson, Clover Park, Sr., sprints; Stephanie Bizard, Lakes, Jr., javelin; Ryann Hansen, Fife, So., throws; Katie Collins, Peninsula, Sr., sprints; Michelle Dudley, Lakes, So., javelin; Amanda Page, Peninsula, Sr., throws; Jeniphr Moxley, Fr., Lakes, sprints, long jump; LaRae Williams, Lakes, Fr., sprints.

Notable: Lakes won the Pierce County League the last two years of its existence and is the team to beat in the new Seamount Pierce. With strong sophomore and freshman classes, that might not change anytime soon.