League outlooks for track
(Last year's marks and state-meet placings, unless otherwise noted, in parentheses.)
SPSL North
Favorite: Kentridge.
Contenders: Auburn, Kentlake, Auburn Riverside, Tahoma.
Athletes to watch: James Fredrickson, Kentridge, Sr., 110 high hurdles (14.39 seconds, 1st at state), 300 hurdles (37.76, 1st); Jay Komar, Auburn Riverside, Sr., 110 high hurdles (15.01, 8th), 300 hurdles (37.81, 2nd); Kevin Hawkins, Sumner, Sr., 800 (1 minute, 55.58 seconds, 5th); Andrew Stranack, Auburn, Sr., high jump (6 feet, 5 inches, tied for 4th); Reggie Jones, Kent-Meridian, Sr., 100 (11.45), 200 (23.13), triple jump (46-0¾ , 5th); Kenny Mathews, Sumner, Sr., 3,200 (9:38.89; 12th at state cross-country meet); Jordan McNamara, Auburn Riverside, Sr., 3,200, 1,600 (4:27.72 this season); Curtis Suver, Tahoma, 1,600 (4:28.03), 3,200 (9:47.02); Josh Clough, Auburn Riverside, Jr., 1,600 (4:30.1), 3,200 (9:47.79); Isaac Stensby, Kent-Meridian, Sr., 100 (11.23), 400 (50:83); Joe Churchill, Auburn Riverside, So., 800 (2:00.5 this season), 1,600 (4:29.24 this season); Jabari Watkins, Kentridge, Sr., shot put (53-4 this season); Kenjamin Jackson, Kentwood, Sr., 200 (2:21 this season); Leroy Kendricks, Kentlake, Sr., triple jump (40-9½ this season); Allen Wood, Tahoma, Sr., 3,200 (9:31.46 this season).
Notable: Kentridge placed third at state behind Fredrickson's sweep of the hurdles. Chargers add Watkins, a state-caliber shot-putter as a sophomore at Auburn Riverside. He was ineligible last season after transferring to Kentridge. ... Long-time Kent-Meridian coach Roger Erickson retired last spring after 24 seasons. Ernie Ammons is new coach. Ammons was state cross-country champion as a senior at Ilwaco in 1992. He also won 3,200 and was second in 1,600 before becoming a high-school All-American in steeplechase. ... Auburn Riverside has 78 boys turning out.
— Sandy Ringer
SPSL South
Favorite: Bethel.
Contenders: Spanaway Lake, Jefferson, Curtis, Decatur.
Athletes to watch: Kyle Jenkins, Jefferson, Sr., triple jump (49-8½), long jump (21-11¾, 6th); Moreno Zapata, Curtis, Sr., triple jump (48-0, 3rd); Caesar Rayford, Bethel, Sr., high jump (6-5, 4th); Nick Isaac, Decatur, Sr., long jump (23-3 this season), triple jump (43-1); Shaun Helm, Decatur, Sr., 800 (1:56.61); Greg Warren, Federal Way, Sr., 400 (50.5); Coury McGinnis, Jefferson, Sr., 100 (10.8 this season), 200 (22.64); Kyle Anderson, Jefferson, Sr., 3,200 (9:31.09); Jimmy Schofield, Bethel, Sr., 400 (50.07); Amir Owens, Curtis, Jr., 110 high hurdles (15.26); Brian Crick, Federal Way, Jr.; 110 high hurdles (15.36); Matt Clark, Federal Way, Sr., 100 (11.0 this season); Ben Pentz, Curtis, Jr., 100 (11.0 this season); Marco Buckingham, Spanaway lake, Jr., 100 (11.0 this season), long jump (21-7 this season); Justin Miller, Spanaway Lake, Sr., shot put (49-3 this season); Jake Kennedy, Puyallup, Sr., 400 (51.0 this season); Michael Zetterberg, Curtis, Jr., 800 (2:00.5 this season); Lance Witherspoon, Decatur, Sr., discus (150-10 this season); Elvie Releford, Spanaway Lake, Sr., 110 high hurdles (14.9 this season), high jump (6-2 this season).
Notable: Jenkins' top triple-jump mark last season was second best in nation among returning high-school athletes this spring. He has a scholarship to Indiana. ... Bethel is defending division champ. Coach Pat Mullen doubles as boys basketball coach and led Braves to third place at 4A state tournament last month. ... Curtis coach Mark Salzman guided girls basketball team to state this year for first time since 1985 (when tournament had a regional format).
— Sandy Ringer
WesCo North
Favorite: Marysville-Pilchuck.
Contenders: Snohomish, Lake Stevens, Stanwood.
Athletes to watch: Clint Osborn, Lake Stevens, Jr., shot put (53-1, 9th); Scott Wilson, Lake Stevens, So., javelin (161-5); Brandon Zueger, Lake Stevens, Sr., pole vault (13-3); Brenton Bodewig, Arlington, Sr., long jump (21-10-1/2, 5th); Nick Camp, Arlington, Sr., long jump (20-1-3/4, 15th); Dan Costello, Marysville-Pilchuck, Jr., 100 (11.34, state qualifier), 200 (22.9, state qualifier); Daimino Stewart, Marysville-Pilchuck, Sr., high jump (6-2, 8th); Robbie Lowry, Marysville-Pilchuck, Sr., pole vault (14-0, 5th); Justin Brandt, Snohomish, Sr., 1,600 (4:21.8); Bryan Lucke, Monroe, Sr., high jump (6-2).
Notable: Marysville-Pilchuck was 10th at state last year, boosted by runner-up finish in 1,600 relay. Tomahawks are league favorites. ... Brandt has second-fastest 1,600 in state this season. ... Osborn has added three feet to his shot-put distance since last spring. ... Costello is top returning sprinter in WesCo.
— Greg Bishop
WesCo South
Favorite: Everett.
Contenders: Jackson, Shorewood, Kamiak, Edmonds-Woodway.
Athletes to watch: Caleb Knox, Jackson, Sr., 1,600 (4:21.12, 10th), 3,200 (9:47.51, 14th), 800 (2:01.03); Jeff Helmer, Jackson, So., 3,200 (9:56.9); Chase Mancuso, Kamiak, Jr., discus (158-6, 10th); Steve Rydman, Kamiak, Sr., 800 (1:58.77, state qualifier); Kelly Spady, Kamiak, Jr., 3,200 (9:46.4); Niko Sievers, Everett, Sr., 300 hurdles (40.67, state qualifier); Isaac Hicks, Everett, Jr., shot put (52-2-1/2); Kyle Bernhardt, Everett, Sr., javelin (168-2); Jake Stevens, Everett, Sr., shot put, discus, javelin; Tyler Dobbs, Shorewood, Jr., pole vault (12-6, 12th); Doug Misner, Shorewood, Jr., high jump (6-2); Glenn Gallagher, Edmonds-Woodway, Sr., 400 (52.1); Sean Doyle, Edmonds-Woodway, Sr., 800 (2:02.5); Paul Zavaglia, Edmonds-Woodway, Sr., 300 hurdles (41.64); Daniel Stabbert, Meadowdale, Sr., 800 (2:01.99, state qualifier); Kevin Myhre, Meadowdale, Sr., 110 high hurdles (15.67, state qualifier); Shane Hoffman, Shorecrest, Sr., long jump (21-1, 12th); Randall Eldridge, Lynnwood, Sr., triple jump (41-7-3/4, 16th); Vince Kinney, Lynnwood, Jr., 300 hurdles (41.0).
Notable: Jackson tied for 10th at state last year. Timberwolves lost several athletes, but got a boost when football star Johnie Kirton returned to throwing events after focusing on baseball for two years. ... Mancuso is one of state's best in discus.
— Greg Bishop
KingCo 4A
Favorite: Inglemoor.
Contenders: Ballard, Bothell, Woodinville, Eastlake.
Athletes to watch: Victor Cheng, Inglemoor, Sr., 100 (11.10, 3rd), 200 (22.64, 4th); Terry Johnson, Bothell, Jr., 100 (11.16, 4th), 200 (22.53, 3rd); Dan Tyson, Ballard, Jr., 400 (50.66, 5th); David Kinsella, Inglemoor, Sr., 1,600 (4:14.43, 3rd), 3,200 (9:14.61, 4th); Jon Lewis, Inglemoor, Sr., 1,600 (4:26.08, 12th); Colin Longmuir, Woodinville, Sr., 3,200 (9:49.18, 15th); Nate Rolfe, Inglemoor, Sr., discus, shot put (54-6¾, 4th), discus (175-2, 3rd); Adam Rooney, Juanita, Sr., discus (150-9, 7th); Norris Frederick, Roosevelt, Sr., long jump (22-11, 1st), high jump (6-8, 1st); Carlos Fontenot, Redmond, Sr., long jump (19-10½, 16th); Joseph O'Neil, Franklin, Sr., triple jump (44-9, 10th); Tim Proby, Eastlake, Sr., high jump (6-0, 14th); Ty Fotheringham, Ballard, Jr., pole vault (13-0, 11th); David Nyland, Woodinville, Sr., javelin (state-best 197-9 this season).
Notable: Inglemoor, defending state champ, is loaded with top-end talent and depth with 150 members. Rolfe and Cheng (10.7 in 100 this year) should be dominant again. Rolfe ranks No. 1 in state this year in discus (197-10) and No. 1 in nation in hammer throw (229-2). ... Frederick has cleared 7-0½ indoors in high jump. Johnson is chasing Bothell coach B.J. Dawson's school records in 200 (22.10) and 400 (48.02). ... Rooney is on track to break Juanita's 26-year-old school record in discus.
— Matt Massey
KingCo 3A
Favorite: Skyline.
Contenders: Issaquah, Bellevue, Newport.
Athletes to watch: Jon Harding, Issaquah, Sr., 1,600 (4:21.65, 6th), 3,200 (9:30.26, 6th); Brandon Fellows, Mercer Island, Jr., 1,600 (4:23.56, 8th); Nicholas Freiberg, Mercer Island, Sr., shot put (state qualifier); Paul Clary, Skyline, Sr., discus (134-0, 14th); Will Davenport, Bellevue, Jr., javelin (163-1, 10th); Matt Mead, Skyline, Sr., high jump (6-2, tied for 7th); Ryan Fonda, Interlake, Sr., pole vault (13-6, 8th); Lorenzo Molina, Skyline, Jr., 1,600, 3,200; Brian Govier, Mercer Island, Jr., 800, 1,600; Jordan Estill, Sammamish, Sr., long jump, triple jump; Jake Sikma, Bellevue, hurdles; Tracy Ford, Bellevue, Sr., 100 (11.10 this season), 200 (23.4 this season).
Notable: Skyline could repeat as KingCo 3A champ with top-end talent. Harding skipped cross country with a stress fracture of his pelvis. He has fastest 3,200 time in KingCo 3A so far (9:32.30). ... Fonda has a shot at state crown in pole vault. ... Govier won Class 3A cross-country title and has top KingCo 3A times in 800 (1:57.80) and 1,600 (4:26.50). ... Ford, a football running back with a scholarship to Idaho, has made a splash in sprints.
— Matt Massey
Metro League
Favorite: O'Dea.
Contenders: Rainier Beach, Bishop Blanchet, Seattle Prep.
Athletes to watch: Chancellor Young, O'Dea, Sr., 100 (10.95, 1st), 200 (21.98, 1st); Taylor Mays, O'Dea, So., sprints; Brandon Jones, O'Dea, So., sprints; Kai Brown, O'Dea, Sr., discus; Mike Wauters, Bainbridge, Sr., shot put (58-2½, 1st), discus (172-10, 1st); Nolan Amy, Bainbridge, Jr., 800; Angelo Ritualo, Bainbridge, Jr., 400; Connor Kirkpatric, Seattle Prep, Sr., 800 (1:59.51, 7th; state cross-country runner-up); Michael Lovejoy, Seattle Prep, Jr., 3,200; Jonah Rathburn, Lakeside, Sr., 400, 800 (1:57.11, 4th); Joe Phillips, Lakeside, Sr., sprints; Houston Gossett, Lakeside, Sr., long jump (22-2, Metro champ, state qualifier); Colin Johnson, Lakeside, Sr., sprints; Michael Nahl, West Seattle, Sr., shot (50-8 this season); Brandon Stewart, Ingraham, Sr., jumps, (21-2-1/2 long jump this year); Kellen Doiko, Ingraham, Sr., 400; Tommy Stover, Blanchet, Jr., 800 (8th); Toneil Pinkney, Rainier Beach, Sr., long jump, sprints; Vonzell McDowell, Rainier Beach, Fr., sprints; Atrial Snipes, Jr., sprints.
Notable: O'Dea is defending 3A state champion. Irish will be state contenders and are heavily favored to win Metro title for seventh consecutive year.
— Craig Smith
Seamount Pierce Division
Favorite: Washington.
Contenders: Lakes, Franklin Pierce.
Athletes to watch: Bruce Hubbard, Peninsula, Sr., 100 (11.23, 2nd), 200 (23.11, 6th); Randy Bacon, Washington, Jr., 400 (48.91, 2nd); Raheem Legler, Lakes, Sr., high jump (6-4, 5th); Jacob Muai, Franklin Pierce, Sr., shot put (52-3-1/2, 5th); Wes King, Peninsula, So., pole vault (13-9, 6th); Todd Clancy, Clover Park, Jr., 1,600/3,200 (1st in district in both); Jude Lizama, Lakes, Sr., 400; Craig Garner, Washington, So., 100; Ryan Huff, Franklin Pierce, Sr., 1,600; Rick Melvin, White River, Sr., javelin (160-1 this season); Jerry Thomas, White River, Sr., triple jump; Omar Petty, Clover Park, Jr., pole vault; Brian Troglin, Fife, Sr., javelin.
Notable: Washington snapped Lakes' string of 42 dual-meet victories on March 26. ... Petty was a 12-foot pole vaulter as a freshman. The school dropped pole vaulting last season for safety reasons. ... Fife topped White River early this season for its first league dual-meet victory in more than three years.
— J.R. Rardon
Seamount King Division
Favorite: Renton.
Contender: Lindbergh.
Athletes to watch: Quinton Jackson, Renton, Sr., sprints; Victor Okocha, Renton, Sr., 400 (48.54, 1st); Armand Hopkins, Renton, Jr., high jump (district champ); Joe Reynolds, Highline, Sr., 110 hurdles; Mike Dennison, Hazen, Sr., pole vault; Patrick McGrath, Kennedy, 300 hurdles; Miles Hewitson, Highline, Sr., javelin (165-1, state qualifier); Scott Hansen, Highline, Jr., pole vault; Eric Forsberg, Highline, Jr., 400; DeSean Brooks, Mount Rainier, Sr., 400 (52.0).
Notable: Jackson, fifth in 200 at state as sophomore, is back after missing last year's state meet with a hamstring injury. Okocha bounced back from his district-meet injury to win state 400 title, the only one claimed by a Seamount boy in 2003. ... Highline is resurrecting the historic Highline Relays, which were discontinued in 1991 after a run of more than 40 years. The meet will be April 17.
— J.R. Rardon