Track and Field: At A Glance

GIRLS

• FAVORITE: Kentwood.

• CONTENDERS: Tahoma, K-M.

• SLEEPERS: Kentridge, Kentlake.

• LEAGUE OUTLOOK: Now this should be fun. KW came into its own last season, winning the school’s first-ever SPSL North track and field title. To get it done, the Conks had to go through perennial powerhouse Tahoma, which had won 36 SPSL North meets in a row and four consecutive league crowns. KW knocked off Tahoma  89-61. But can the Conks do it again? By state’s end, Tahoma still finished higher, taking third at the state meet while KW took sixth. This spring, the two longtime rivals should go 1-2 once again, and in either order. The Conks return a loaded bunch, led by star sprinter Holly DeHart, thrower Alyx Toeaina, distance specialist Kailey Ulland and middle-distance runner Megan McNally among others. KW also will receive a huge boost from Madelayne Varela (100, 200 and 400), who transferred from Kentlake. With all that in mind, the Conks are going to be a tough bunch to beat. That being the case, the Bears bring plenty of firepower, including their 4 x 100 relay team (Kassie Jensen, Cassidy Richmond, Paige Hammock and Mande McKinney), which won a state crown last spring. Meanwhile, the Bears possess (again) one of the state’s top long-distance runners, led by Elizabeth Oosterhout, Julianna Mock and Lauren Clawson. … KL may have lost Varela, but still brings back considerable talent. Led by long-distance specialist Sarah Robbins, a standout in the fall on the cross country terrain, Megan Rogers (3,200), Nichole Kuntz (800), Terra McGinnis (800, 1,600), Gabriela Suarez (throws) and the one-two punch of Becca Peterson and Julie Bolstad in the pole vault. … Of all the teams in the North this year, however, Kentridge may make the biggest jump. The Chargers finished in fourth last spring, but return state placers Amelia Carpenter (seventh in the pole vault, 10-9), Kim Concillado (eighth in the pole vault, 10-0) and Katie Lake (ninth in long jump, 16-08.25) along with distance specialist and multi-sport standout Molly Shiroishi.

BOYS

• FAVORITE: Kent-Meridian.

• CONTENDERS: Kentwood, Kentridge.

• SLEEPERS: Tahoma, Kentlake.

• LEAGUE OUTLOOK: Kent-Meridian won its first SPSL North track title last season since 2001. This spring, the Royals have been pegged to repeat that success and have the tools to do it. Though Kent-Meridian lost burner B.J. Arceneaux, who transferred to Kentwood, the Royals still bring back multiple-event standouts Brandon Harris, Abu Kamara, David Jones, Jordan Thompson Walker and University of Washington-bound star Derrick Daigre, who won a state title in the 800-meter in 2009, but struggled with injuries last spring. Since 2007, the Royals have posted a 23-4 overall mark in SPSL North meets. … Knocking on the door of Kent-Meridian could be a variety of teams. Kentwood, Kentridge, Kentlake and Tahoma all have strengths. If Kentridge’s Cameron McKernan can keep his legs healthy, a top-eight finish at state should follow. McKernan, a senior, was one of the top running backs in the SPSL North in the fall. While McKernan anchors the sprints for the Chargers, senior Alex Horton, a state participant last year, should emerge as one of the area’s best in the 800 and 1,600. The Chargers should also receive big contributions from Bralen Westendorf (200, 110 hurdles), Reggie Collins (hurdles, 400) and Kaid Tipton (hurdles) among others. … Meanwhile, Kentlake has one of the best one-two punches in the high jump in the state behind Shad Hall and Alex Straus. Both earned state berths last spring and should build off of those performances this May. In addition, Kentlake’s Tyler Jewett has the potential to emerge as one of the area’s best throwers. A senior, Jewett entered the week ranked second in the SPSL in the discus with a toss of 105-feet, 2-inches. The Falcons also should receive a strong boost from Mount Rainier transfer Stephon Vaifale, a sprinter who showed plenty of breakaway speed on the football field in the fall. … Kentwood could have a state champion on its hands in Arceneaux, who entered the week among the league leaders in the 100-meter. In addition to Arceneaux, the Conquerors could get big things from Joseph Banks, a senior who hasn’t been healthy enough during the spring season the last two years to compete. Finally healthy, Banks will be one to watch. Meanwhile, Kentwood junior Danny Lunder blossomed into one of the top cross country runners in the area during the fall, grabbing a state berth. Expect Lunder’s emergence to continue on the track in the 800 and 1,600.

League Wrap Up

ATHLETES TO WATCH

NAME                  SCHOOL        EVENT(S)      YEAR

Holly DeHart        Kentwood        Sprints        Sr.

Notable: Gritty competitor has the wheels to repeat as 200-meter state champ.

Alexia Martin    Kent-Meridian    Distance        Jr.

Notable: Kent-Meridian’s distance specialist took 13th at state a year ago.

Madelayne Varela    Kentwood        Sprints        Jr.

Notable: Former Falcon took eighth at state in the 100, 200 and 400 last spring.

Chelsea Muskelly    Kent-Meridian    Jumps        Jr.

Notable: This Royal has springs on her feet, leaping to fourth-place finish (5-2) at state.

Kim Concillado    Kentridge        Pole Vault        Sr.

Notable: Delivered a solid eighth-place finish (10-0) in the pole vault at state last spring.

Amelia Carpenter    Kentridge        Pole Vault        Sr.

Notable: Along with Concillado, provides KR with vaunted 1-2 punch in event.

Jenna Crain        Kent-Meridian    Pole Vault        Sr.

Notable: Has the ability to be standing atop the podium by the end of spring.

Megan Rogers    Kentlake        Middle Distance    Jr.

Notable: Falcon standout entered the week among leaders in the 800 and 1,600.

Brandon Harris    Kent-Meridian    Sprints, jumps    Sr.

Notable: After remaining home during state a year ago, senior has something to prove.

B.J. Arceneaux    Kentwood        Sprints        Sr.

Notable: Health pending, this Conqueror could burn way to state title in 100.

Derrick Daigre    Kent-Meridian    Distance        Sr.

Notable: Injuries kept him from repeating in the 800; look for rebound.

Shad Hall        Kentlake        High jump, hurdles    Sr.

Notable: Currently among the SPSL leaders in the high jump with a mark of 6-2.

Alex Straus        Kentlake        High jump        Sr.

Notable: Paired with Hall, he helps give Falcons vaunted 1-2 punch in high jump.

Alex Horton        Kentridge        Distance        Sr.

Notable: Entered week with one of top 1,600 times (4:31.20) in the state.

Danny Lunder    Kentwood        Distance        Jr.

Notable: He enjoyed a breakout season in cross country, expect the same on the track.

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR

Arcadia Invitational, April 8-9: KW will be at this California-based invitational, which brings together the top teams in the nation. If the KW girls have a good showing, look out for the state meet.

Pasco Invitational, April 16: Kentlake, Kent-Meridian, Kentridge and Tahoma all will be on tap in one of the top meets of the year.

South Puget Sound League Meet, May 11 and May 13, Kent-Meridian High: The SPSL has more top-tier track athletes than any league in the state. This will be one of the few opportunities to see them all showcased at the same time and place locally.

State Meet, May 26-27, Mount Tahoma High: This late May capper to the prep year is worth the price of admission, especially on a sunsplashed day at a fantastic venue for a state meet.

ON THE WEB

There isn’t a better track & field Web site around than www.athletic.net, which doesn’t only follow the preps from the Northwest, but the entire country. The site includes breakdowns of indoor track as well as cross country. In addition, it includes state leaders, league leaders and virtually everything in between.