SPSL track: Auburn ends Kent-Meridian streak at 75
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KENT — In Chris Lukezic's eyes, ending the streak meant sending a message.
If the Auburn Trojans are good enough in April to hand Kent-Meridian its first South Puget Sound League dual-meet loss in a decade, they might have what it takes to claim the Class 4A state boys track and field championship in May.
The Trojans didn't just snap K-M's string of dual-meet victories at 75 yesterday at French Field — they shredded it, 78-57. They won eight of the 10 running events — all but the hurdle races, which K-M's Jake Foyston swept — and split the six field events.
It was the Royals' first loss since 1992 and dropped them to 5-1 this season.
"It's kind of cool," said Lukezic, who barely broke a sweat in winning the 1,600 and 3,200, doing just what it took to get the first-place points for the team while saving energy for tomorrow's Pasco Invitational.
"It kind of shows the rest of the state we can be a factor at the state meet as a team. Kent-Meridian was fourth (at state) last year and they're a great team. They'll probably be up there again, but I think this shows we might be a step ahead of them and ready to make that move into a state title team.
K-M Coach Roger Erickson concurred.
"They are very good, and we knew that," Erickson said. "We gave it our best shot. They did great."
Auburn (5-0) kept K-M sprinter Courtney Burns out of the winner's circle. Andrew Stocking got a great start in the 100 and held on for the win and Matt Wilson won the 200 with Stocking second and Burns a disappointing third.
"This is a lot of fun," Stocking beamed. "We've been talking about this meet all year."
Burns didn't have much to smile about and made no excuses, although he scratched out of the long jump with a sore ankle. Instead, he gave the Trojans their due.
"They wanted it," Burns said. "I didn't run the times I think I can run, but I have to take my hat off to them, because they ran hard. All I can said is we'll see them another time."
Wilson ran a personal-best 22.6 to beat Burns for the first time. He, Stocking and Matt Ludwigson were also on Auburn's two winning relays. Adam Vogt rounded out the 400 relay that recorded a state-best 43.16. Vogt also won the 400, but said his legs were feeling tired and opted out of the 800 and 1,600 relay with Pasco in mind. Still, he was thrilled with the team victory.
"It feels really good," said Vogt, expected to be a contender for the 800 title at the state meet. "You've got to give them (the Royals) a lot of respect. They're a really strong team."
Foyston, the defending state champion in the 300 hurdles, delivered three of K-M's five victories. In addition to sweeping the hurdles, he cleared 10 feet to win the pole vault. But he was disappointed to see his team's winning streak end.
"I did what I could do," Foyston said. "Some of the other guys didn't step up like they should have, but you can't expect it every week. That's a good team to lose to. They deserved it."
Auburn Coach Greg Isham hopes the victory over K-M will give the Trojans some momentum heading into the second half of the season.
"Kent-Meridian is always in the top five at state," Isham said. "To beat them in a dual meet shows some true strength and depth."
And some state potential.
K-M girls win
Lashawnda Porter won the 100 and 200 as Kent-Meridian beat Auburn 74-63 in a SPSL North Division girls meet at French Field. Kent-Meridian also won two of the three relays. Emily Veenker of Auburn was a double winner, taking the long jump (15-9¾) and triple jump (32-5-1/8).