The State Track & Field Championships begin on Thursday in Cheney and Tacoma, and there are plenty of local athletes to keep an eye on that are in the hunt for a state title.
Napavine’s Mollie Olson is hoping to repeat her state title at Eastern Washington University in the triple jump. She enters with the third best distance in the event at 35 feet, 2 inches, behind Asotin’s Adrienne Washington (35-09) and La Conner’s Matty Lagerwey (36-04), both of which are shorter than her distance from last year that won her the state title (36-05.50). Olson has the third best distance in the long jump as well (16-05) behind Lagerwey (16-06) and Northwest Christian’s (Colbert) Alyssa Toone (16-06.25).
Olson is the top qualifier in the 100 hurdles (15.75), an event she finished second in last year to Northwest Christian’s (Lacey) Heidi Sowers. She has the third best qualifying time in the 300 hurdles (46.86) behind Landyn Lovelady (46.40) and Davenport’s Darby Soliday (46.08).
Toledo’s Ally Bacon has the second best toss in the javelin (123-00) behind Raymond’s Karlee Freeman and Mossyrock’s Ava Nelson is right behind Bacon with the third best toss (121-08) entering state.
In the 1B/2B/1A Boys, Adna’s Austen Apperson enters with the best time in the 800 (1:57.20), the 1600 (4:20.65) and the third best time in the 3200 (10:24.30). Apperson placed second in the 3200 and third in the 1600 last year.
Luke Wellander had the second best time entering the 110 hurdles (15.62) behind Kalama’s Tucker Wetmore, an event Wellander placed third in at state last year.
Morton-White Pass’ Tristen Storey enters the 200 with the third best time (22.89) behind Kalama’s Jacob Herz (22.72) and defending champion Lyle/Wishram’s Brandon Montoya (22.05). The MWP 4x100 relay team of Manuel Martinez, Jesse Urban, Marcos Garcia and Tristen Storey enters state with the best time (44.27).
Pe Ell’s Andrew Schulz and Napavine’s Draven Riddle are tied for the second best distance in the long jump (21-00) entering state behind defending champion Montoya (23.03). Riddle has the best distance going into the triple jump (41-11.50).
Ryan Shepherd has the longest javelin throw entering the state tournament (175-00) and Bradley Prestegord has the third best distance (160-06).
W.F. West’s Colby White has the top distance (21-06.50) going into the State 2A boys track meet at Mount Tahoma. White is also the top qualifier in the high jump (6-05).
The Bearcat boys 4x400 relay team of Carver Brennan, Dallas Taylor, Jasper Ellingson and Ka’imi Henry have the third best qualifying time (3:26.42) behind Liberty (Issaquah) and Tumwater.
W.F. West’s Kendra Bottenberg has the fourth best distance entering the javelin (128-01).
List of Local Athletes Competing at State Track & Field Meet:
Adna — Brady Collins (100), Luke Wellander (300 hurdles), Austen Apperson (800, 1600, 3200); Girls 4x400 Relay (Lauryn Apperson, Samee Jo Moon, Rachel Burke, Jordyn Swenson); Lauryn Apperson (1600)
Morton-White Pass — Levi Clements (300 hurdles), Tristen Storey (100, 200), Boys 4x400 (Manuel Martinez, Levi Clements, Jesse Urban, Tristen Storey), Boys 4x100 (Manuel Martinez, Jesse Urban, Marcos Garcia, Tristen Storey); Kaylen Collette (3200)
Mossyrock — James Cushman (400), Lucas Johnson (400); Girls 4x100 Relay (Maleah Nixon Klein, Jillian Cournyer, Sarah Lovan, Stephanie Fried); Sarah Lovan (400); Maleah Nixon Klein (200); Stephanie Fried (200); Ava Nelson (Javelin, Discus); Jamie Carlson (Javelin, Discus); Heather Edgar (Shot Put); Girls 4x400 Relay (Faith Mulligan, Stephanie Fried, Maleah Nixon Klein, Sarah Lovan); Girls 4x200 Relay (Gracie Lovan, Maleah Nixon Klein, Sarah Lovan, Stephanie Fried)
Napavine — Draven Riddle (100, Long Jump, Triple Jump), Noah Lantz (Javelin), Chase McCarter (Pole Vault), Boys 4x100 Relay (Hayden Lester, Draven Riddle, Cade Evander, Brandon Zandecki); Girls 4x200 Relay (Riley Beeson, Vannie Fagerness, Calyx Pope, Yoselyn Sandoval); Chloe Stewart (300 Hurdles, Triple Jump), Cirstyn Ellison (Shot Put); Mollie Olson (Long Jump, Triple Jump, 100 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles);
Onalaska — Sean Bullock (High Jump); Carmen Cleveland-Barrera (Shot Put)
Pe Ell — Bradley Prestegord (Discus, Javelin, Shot Put), Kaleb McCalden (High Jump), Ryan Shepherd (Triple Jump, Javelin, Long Jump) Andrew Schulz (Long Jump, Triple Jump), Willy Ames (110 Hurdles); Maggie Elliott (High Jump, Long Jump)
Toledo — Nicholas Marty (3200), Ethan Buck (Javelin), Reece Wallace (Long Jump), Boys 4x100 Relay (Jacob Butcher, Miguel Soto, Duke Schaplow, Braden Bramhall), Anthony Peak (110 Hurdles); Emily Tyner (High Jump); Kallie Schaplow (Javelin); Girls 4x100 Relay (Ally Bacon, Alyssa Gaskill, Kallie Schaplow, Abigail Rowe); Ally Bacon (Javelin)
Winlock — Noah Patching (800)
W.F. West — Lafe Johnson (Pole Vault), Carver Brennan (400); Boys 4x400 Relay (Carver Brennan, Dallas Taylor, Jasper Ellingson, Ka’imi Henry); Colby White (High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump); Jack Mallonee (300 Hurdles); Boys 4x100 Relay (Troy Yarter, Carver Brennan, Ka’imi Henry, Jasper Ellingson); Kendra Bottenberg (Javelin, Shot Put); Lauren Tornow (Long Jump, 100 Hurdles, 300 Hurdles); Megan Flexhaug (Pole Vault); Girls 4x400 Relay (Courtney Bennett, Lauren Tornow, Kelly Robertson, Emma Thornburg); 4x200 (Jade Ennis-Palmer, Emma Thornburg, Kelly Robertson, Courtney Bennett); Emma Moon (1600, 3200); Jade Ennis-Palmer (100); Brianna Powe (Discus)
Centralia — Vance Voetberg (1600, 3200); Anastasia Ulrigg (Triple Jump)
