Thomas Kassa and Chelsea Genther have come about as close as you can to individual track and field titles without actually winning one.

Kassa has placed fifth or better in the state meet six times in four events over the past two seasons. Genther, who owns three first-place relay medals, has been in the top five in individual events on five occasions.

The good news for Kassa and Genther — and for their track and field teams — is that both have one more crack at the elusive state title.

Boys’ Track and Field

Thomas Kassa, jr., Anacortes

Kassa, who was also the Skagit Valley Herald’s Boys’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year in 2008, brought team philosophy to what is typically an individual sport.

He could have competed — and placed at state — in four individual events, but early on he made the decision to stick with the Seahawks’ 400-meter relay squad.

“I wanted to do the relay,” Kassa said. “I wanted the other guys on the team to be there at state.”

Kassa jettisoned the long jump, an event in which he finished second in the state in 2008.

“I was doing better in the high jump,” Kassa explained, adding that the triple jump and 200-meter dash were givens.

His results at state were mixed.

Kassa said he was pleased overall. The relay squad, which wasn’t expected to make the finals, not only got into the race but took third. Kassa tied for third in the high jump and finished fourth in the triple jump. The 200, which came at the end of the meet, was a bit of a disappointment for Kassa, who finished fifth.

“I’m satisfied,” Kassa said. “The relay was the most satisfying.”

Kassa is beginning to consider a college future, one he expects will involve track. He has gotten attention already, and hopes to secure a scholarship to a school on the West Coast.

Girls’ Track and Field

Chelsea Genther, jr., Burlington-Edison

The encouraging thing about the 2009 season for Genther is that her times in most of her events improved. The discouraging thing was how much faster the competition got.

Genther was the second-fastest returner in the 100-meter dash, but freshman Cherish Morrison of Blaine proved her nemesis throughout the year. Morrison passed both Genther and 2008 state champion Alex Davidson to win the event, with Genther finishing third.

The story was similar in the 100 hurdles, where Genther was the top returning placer from last year. This time it was Archbishop Murphy’s Sarah Schireman who made huge strides from a season ago to pass Genther and take the title, with Genther about a half-second back. Genther took third in the 300 hurdles.

“It was a little frustrating,” Genther said. “I’ve loved winning the relays, but I want to win an individual event. I hope that doesn’t sound selfish. I want to be remembered for an individual win.”

One area where no one could overtake Genther and her teammates was the 400 relay, where she claimed her third consecutive state championship.

The only constant on all three championship teams, she anchored a squad that included Kinsey Davis, Michelle Kennedy and Alicia Shapiro. They crossed the line first in a narrow finish that saw three teams within three-hundredths of a second of each other.

Genther said the Tigers didn’t know they’d won until they were lined up to accept their awards.

“It was really suspenseful,” Genther said. “We didn’t know for sure. I’d seen where they’d lined up the others who’d won, and when they put us on the back of the left side, that’s when (we knew). We were so excited.”

Now, with a year left, she said her goal is to add an individual crown to her relay titles.

“She’s really competitive, which is deceptive, because she’s happy-go-lucky,” Tigers coach Kevin Gudgel said. “She’s a fun kid to have around. When it really comes time to perform, she really is competitive. She works hard in practice. She spends a lot of time.”

Eric Francis can be reached at 360-416-2131 or by e-mail at

Skagit Valley Herald
All-Area Boys’ Track and Field Team

100: Logan Johnson, sr., Sedro-Woolley

200: Thomas Kassa, jr., Anacortes

400: Logan Johnson, sr., Sedro-Woolley

800: Tyler Williams, jr., Burlington-Edison

1,600: Tyler Williams, jr., Burlington-Edison

3,200: Conner Whan, jr., Burlington-Edison

110 hurdles: Jeff Adams, sr., Burlington-Edison

300 hurdles: Robert Hanke, jr., Stanwood

400 relay: Anacortes

1,600 relay: Mount Vernon Christian

High jump: Thomas Kassa, jr., Anacortes

Pole Vault: Mitchell Mataya, sr., Sedro-Woolley

Long jump: Achilles Wynn, jr., Burlington-Edison

Triple jump: Thomas Kassa, jr., Anacortes

Shot put: Kenny Packard, jr., Mount Vernon

Discus: Eric Holmstrom, jr., Mount Vernon

Javelin: Lukas Scherer, sr., Concrete

Skagit Valley Herald

All-Area Girls’ Track and Field Team

100: Chelsea Genther, jr., Burlington-Edison

200: Tia Brogna, jr., Mount Vernon

400: Jackie Taylor, sr., Mount Vernon Christian

800: Kylie Whitener, so., Mount Vernon Christian

1,600: Minna Fields, so., Stanwood

3,200: Minna Fields, so., Stanwood

100 hurdles: Chelsea Genther, jr., Burlington-Edison

300 hurdles: Chelsea Genther, jr., Burlington-Edison

400 relay: Burlington-Edison

800 relay: Burlington-Edison

1,600 relay: Mount Vernon Christian

High jump: Brittany Grandy, so., Sedro-Woolley

Pole Vault: Brienna Palmer, jr., Burlington-Edison

Long jump: Callie Reff, sr., Burlington-Edison

Triple jump: Shantae Young, jr., Oak Harbor

Discus: Katie McNett, sr., Mount Vernon

Shot Put: Trista Peterson, sr., Stanwood

Javelin: Teira Graham, sr., Burlington-Edison