Nearing the end of a long season of tears, blood — and plenty of sweat — things are just starting to get interesting for Kirkland’s two track and field squads.
Starting today, the KingCo 4A championship track meet marks the first postseason checkpoint for Lake Washington and Juanita track athletes. The meet continues through Friday afternoon, with all events taking place at Liberty High School in Renton.
At Juanita, a number of boys and girls athletes should move on from the KingCo meet. Rebels senior Trevor Roush set the league’s second-best 400-meter dash time this season at 50.24 seconds. Roush has rebounded nicely from injuries early in the season to hit his full stride late on. Juanita coach Jim Henry said now that Roush is fully recovered mentally and has begun restoring the strength in his legs, he could get even faster.
Sophomore Raul Silva has the league’s sixth-best time at 3,200 meters, and has improved his times consistently this season — his best 2008 time is nearly a minute and half better than his best 2007 effort.
“I don’t think he’s done this year,” Henry said. “He’s starting to believe.”
Junior Jesse Zackery should do well in the triple jump and in the Rebels’ newly-formed 1600-meter relay team, along with Silva, Roush and Gabe Green.
Green might be one of the league’s best-kept secrets. He has hit personal records in his last four meets.
“He’s a total surprise to a lot of people,” Henry said. “He’s a big dark horse. When you’re on that kind of roll, who knows what can happen.”
On the girls side, sophomore Sabrina Grandke-Bawab has the league’s fifth-best shot put distance. Junior Brittany Herring will be a contender in both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles, as will senior Brianna “Breezy” Rinehart-Young in the high jump.
For the Lake Washington boys team, the strength is in the sprints. Senior Austin Delaney and sophomore Matt Hanson have each posted top-three league times in the 100-meter dash. Hanson also has the league’s second-best 200 meter time.
Junior Tim Hobbs leads the Kangs’ mid-distance group. Hobbs has the league’s eighth-best 800-meter time. Senior Ian Story is the team’s best hurdler and should be in the mix in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles races.
The Kangs also have a veteran field-events squad. Senior Jason Wang has top-10 distances in the shot put and discus, while seniors Eric Gillison (javelin), Jacob Lewis (high jump) and Henry Park (pole vault) also have top-10 distances and heights in their respective events.
The Lake Washington girls team has a group of great hurdlers, starting with junior Brieccia Lewis, who has the league’s best 100-meter hurdles time. Lewis also has the league’s sixth-best time in the 300-meter hurdles. Sophomore Lacy Newbold and senior Molly Enger are also strong in the hurdles races.
Senior Stephanie Johnson has the league’s sixth-best javelin distance.
The Athletes are working to move on to the 4A state track meet May 23-24 at Edgar Brown Stadium in Pasco.
Contact Adam at amcfadden@reporternewspapers.com.
