The Mountaineers showcased their heavy hitters and plenty of depth in claiming both the boys and girls team races at a meet in Napavine on Thursday night. Their girls squad tallied 186 points while the boys clipped Napavine 142-132.5. Pe Ell placed third for boys while Oakville finished in the top-eight for boys and girls.
One of the better all-around track athletes in the area, Rainier junior Acacia Murphy, had her fingerprints all over the scoring with victories in the 100 and 400-meter dashes plus a triumph in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 2 inches and a runner-up in the open 200. Murphy broke 13 seconds in the 100 and breezed in the 400, winning by seven-plus seconds.
Haleigh Hanson swept the throws for the Mountaineers and they secured wins in the 800 and 1,600-meter relays plus they went 1-2-3 in the open 800, paced by Madison Ingram.
Napavine’s Keira O’Neill had a hand in three victories, claiming the triple jump and javelin plus running a leg on the victorious 400 relay. Maddie Dickinson beat Murphy in the open 200 while junior Haley Gallagher claimed the pole vault.
Oakville’s Carmella Gumaelius won the 3,200-meter run.
On the boys side, Rainier dominated the three distance races and two relays, winning the 400 and 1,600-meter relays plus James Meldrum (800) and Zach Hamilton (1,600) taking first. It finished 2-3 in the 3,200.
Zander Peck (javelin) and Josh Meldrum (100) also won for the Mountaineers.
Napavine showed its strength in the field events as Colin Shields (shot put), Case Van Kooten (long jump) and Austin Lyons (triple jump) all coasted to a win. Pe Ell’s Carter Phelps (110 hurdles), Calan McCarty (300 hurdles) and Cowyn McGrath (3,200) all picked up wins.
