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Anacortes Seahawks

Coaches: Glenn Strachan (sixth year), Case de Vries (fourth year)

League: Northwest Conference

Top returners: Boys — Thomas Kassa (jr., jumps/sprints), Chris Stoneham (jr., jumps/sprints), Kyle Jones (jr., sprints/pole vault), James No (sr., sprints/mid-distances), Daniel Brown (sr., distances), P.J. Johnson (so., throws), Andrew Bolton (so., sprints/throws), Caranza Farrell (sr., sprints/javelin), James Kim (so., sprints/jumps); Girls — Casey Gibson (sr., javelin/high jump), Jorgina Moore (sr., hurdles), Ariel Madden (sr., sprints/jumps), Maren Hanson (jr., distances), Keidy Guillen (jr., sprints/throws), Britt Espe (so., sprints), Aubrey Hoffman (so., distances), Madison Melcher (so., throws), Anna Berentson (sr., hurdles), Maddy Berentson (so., throws).

Top newcomers: Boys — Chris Archer (fr., mid-distances), Darien Ferguson (so., hurdles), Michael Kim (fr., jumps), Nick Majeske (fr., throws), Joe Root (so., throws), Corey Rosson (jr., distances), Colby Wright (jr., sprints); Girls — Kendle Smithee (fr., throws/jumps), Tyler Calles (jr., jumps), Alexis Chandler (fr., distances), Caroline Masters (fr., distances), Catherine Miles (fr., jumps/throws/mid-distances), Mariel McCown (fr., sprints), Terrah Romano (fr., distances/pole vault), Jessica Straight (so., throws/hurdles), Jasper Sortun (fr., sprints).

Outlook: The Seahawks are big on numbers.

They have about 80 out for track and field, about 20 more than last year and about 10 percent of the student enrollment.

Anacortes returns state medalist Kassa (second in the state long jump at 22 feet, 31⁄2 inches and third in the triple jump at 44-23⁄4) and three who ran with Kassa on a state 400-meter relay team.

Farrell, No and Stoneham will have high expectations as a relay team, but will also try to get to the state meet in individual events. Farrell just missed qualifying last season in the 100.
Among the newcomers are Majeske, who as an eighth-grader last spring was throwing the discus about as far as the Anacortes varsity athletes, and Archer, who ran a 5:14 mile in the eighth grade.

Archer’s eighth-grade mile time is one second slower than what former Anacortes standout Danny Lindstrom ran in the eighth grade.

“He’s a potential Danny Lindstrom kind of guy if he stays healthy and improves like Danny did,” said de Vries.

Burlington-Edison Tigers

Coach: Kevin Gudgel (eighth year)

League: Northwest Conference

Top returners: Boys — Jeff Adams (sr., sprints/hurdles), Cole Sager (sr., hurdles/sprints), Achilles Wynn (jr., jumps/sprints), Zach Slaton (sr., jumps), Conner Whan (jr., distances), Tyler Williams (jr., distances), Corey Kleppe (sr., pole vault), Ryan Spilsbury (jr., mid-distances), Nathan Power (jr., mid-distances), Stetson Shearer (sr., hurdles), Raymond Burt (jr., throws/sprints), Alan DenAdel (jr., distances), Jammarick Cavitt (so., sprints); Girls — Kinsey Davis (sr., sprints), Teira Graham (sr., throws), Alicia Shapiro (sr., sprints), Chelsea Genther (jr., hurdles/sprints), Nikki Stilwill (jr., hurdles/pole vault), Callie Reff (sr., jumps), Casina Olis (sr., throws/jumps), Breanna Palmer (jr., jumps/pole vault), Michelle Kennedy (sr., sprints), Lauren Watts (sr., throws), Ali Downing (so., distances).

Top newcomers: Boys — Andy Agen (fr., sprints/ jumps), Charlie Barnett (so., throws), Austin Wolfe (so., distances), Robert Campos (so., mid-distances), Daniel Sosa (jr., distances), Travis Denham (sr., sprints), Ian Peterson (sr., throws); Girls — Melanie Peters (sr., distances), Keala Bingham (jr., distances), Caitlyn Mataya (fr., mid-distances), Kyndall Bingham (fr., jumps/hurdles), Anna Griffith (fr., mid-distances), Abby Lohman (fr., jumps), Erica Chapman (so., hurdles), Jordan Lautenbach (fr., jumps), Taylor Graham (fr., distances), Jamie Corning (fr., sprints).

Outlook: The Tigers are looking to pick up where they left off after taking the first girls’ state championship in school history last year, as well as girls’ long jump and 400 relay titles.

Although the team lost a number of seniors, both the girls’ and boys’ squads are again looking to do some damage this spring, Gudgel said.

Top returners for the girls are Genther and Davis. Genther was on the 400 relay team, and placed second at state in the 100 and third at state in the 100 hurdles, while Davis finished sixth in the 400 and eighth in the 200.

The girls, who are also returning one-half of their 400 relay team (Genther and Kennedy), are looking to blend their younger athletes with their more accomplished competitors.

“We have some girls’ distance runners that are going to add some depth,” Gudgel said.

The coach said the group of boys is also looking toward the postseason, as the boys return a number of state placers.

Those returners include Adams (third at state in the 110 hurdles) and Kleppe (13th in pole vault).

“They saw the girls’ successes (last year) and they’re very hungry to get back to where they are,” Gudgel said. “There’s a friendly rivalry.”

Concrete Lions

Coaches: Vanessa Williams (second year), Ashleigh Howell (second year)

League: Northwest 2B/1A

Key returners: Boys — Cody Holt (sr., throws/relays), Eric Taylor (sr., distances/jumps), Jesse McMahan (sr., sprints/relays), Lukas Scherer (sr., sprints/triple jump/javelin), Alex Aiken (so., jumps/ sprints); Girls — Melisha Krieger (jr., sprints), Taylor Lee (jr., hurdles/high jump).

Key newcomers: Boys — Liam Walsh (sr., distances), Andy Aiken (fr., high jump), Kevin August (so., jumps), AJ Zartman (jr., throws); Girls — Mary O’Conner (sr., jumps), Brooke Lee (fr., 400), Tasha Holt (so., hurdles/sprints).

Outlook: Concrete will be looking for Scherer to make a return trip to the state meet in the javelin.

Scherer placed second at state in the event, and also competed in the triple jump and sprints last year.

“I’m expecting really good things from him coming off of state,” Howell said. “I’m hoping to get him back there, and I know that’s what he’s really looking for.”

Howell said she’s also looking for leadership from McMahan and Holt.

The girls only return two athletes — Lee and Krieger — but both have state meet experience.

A number of talented newcomers, most of whom are boys, turned out for the team this year.

“We’re looking to rebuild with the talents we have coming in,” Howell said.

La Conner Braves

Coach: Glenn Springer (34th year)

League: Northwest 2B/1A

Top returners: Boys — Tanner Wilson (jr., throws/relays), Keisuke Massey (jr., distances/javelin), Connor Anderson (so., relays/sprints/high jump), Steven Bell (so., throws/long jump), Dan Biladeau (so., javelin/long jump/triple jump), Brandon Drye (so., throws), Sten Mejlaender (so., throws/hurdles), Macky Zavala (jr., sprints/relays); Girls — Skyler Hardy (jr., sprints/long jump), Isabel Sible (so., sprints/long jump/relays), Anna Thostenson (jr., jumps/javelin/relays).

Top newcomers: Boys — Sy Brandy (fr., sprints), Todd Hoagland (fr., relays/sprints), Kyle McCormick (jr., jumps), Daniel Needham (so., mid-distances/long jump); Girls — Priscilla Ponce-Venegas (fr., throws/jumps/relays), Kristin Dorr (fr., long jump/relays), Dianne Quintasket (fr., sprints), Julie Hulbert (jr., high jump/javelin/relays), Kristin Cook (jr., jumps/hurdles), Cydney McFarland (so., shot put/javelin/distances), Julia Traylor (so., distances), Emily Fix (fr., long jump/relays), Sarah Scott (fr., sprints/hurdles).

Outlook: The Braves don’t return any athletes who went to state last season, but Springer said they will be helped by a balanced group with solid competitors in every event.

“There’s pretty good potential,” he said. “We’re balanced all around. We don’t have a lot of depth, but we have someone in all the events.”

Mount Vernon Bulldogs

Coach: John Lee (first year)

League: Northwest Conference

Top returners: Boys — Josh Crandall (sr., sprints), Jimmy Stewart (sr., hurdles/sprints), Andrew Stach (sr., jumps), Kieran Faley (jr., sprints/hurdles/javelin), Ethan Garrison (jr., distances), Eric Holmstrom (jr., discus); Girls — Haley Tellesbo (sr., sprints), Alyssa Bangs (sr., pole vault/jumps), Kathryn Benson (sr., distances), Hillary Johnson (sr., jumps), Tia Brogna (jr., sprints), Tessa Murray (jr., distances), Emily Noste (sr., throws).

Top newcomers: Boys — Lamar Madkin (so., jumps/sprints), Jake Weber-Koetje (sr., relays/jumps); Girls — Kate Toephfer (sr., sprints).

Outlook: The Bulldogs are under new leadership this year, with former Mount Vernon state participant John Lee taking over for Dave Riddle who is now the school’s athletic director.

“It’s weird. Del and Nellie are there, and they were the ones coaching me when I was here,” Lee said, referring to Bulldog coaches Doug Nelson and Jess Del Bosque. “It’s good to see the other side, to see how much time they put in and and how good they really are. It’s also been fun getting to know 130 kids I didn’t know. Exhausting, but a great experience.”

Lee has a solid crew of returning athletes. Crandall was a state participant last year, finishing ninth in the 400, and much of the Bulldogs’ state-qualifying girls’ cross country team is out to provide strength in the distance runs.

“I think our distance crew could be really tough group,” Lee said. “Jess had a really good cross country season. Our new throws coach, Jaxon Schweikert, has been working with those kids. I think that will be our most improved group. Our sprinters, that’s where we have the most numbers. They’ll be consistent.”

Mount Vernon Christian Hurricanes

Coach: Linda Gudmunson (25th year)

League: Northwest 2B/1A

Top returners: Boys — Derrick DeVries (sr., pole vault), David Riley (sr., javelin/jumps/sprints/relays), Ryan Daut (jr., distances), Ben Vanderwerff (jr., javelin/sprints), Jacob Emery (jr., hurdles), Jeffrey McClelland (jr., hurdles/relays), Jack Krienen (so., throws); Girls — Jackie Taylor (sr., sprints/relays), Emily Boudreau (so., sprints/jumps/relays), Brittany Carman (so., throws), Erin Eldridge (so., jumps/sprints/relays), Kendra McConnell (so., mid-distances/relays), Kylie Whitener (so., pole vault/relays).

Top newcomers: Boys — Michael deHaan (fr., jumps/sprints), Mark deVries (sr., jumps/distances), Mark Hogan (sr., javelin/sprints/relays), Matt Emery (fr., throws/distances), Wayne Hancock (fr., throws), Daniel Houtsma (fr., jumps/mid-distances), Nathan Messmer (fr., mid-distances); Girls — Hannah Brown (fr., jumps/hurdles), Hannah Clodfelter (fr., jumps/sprints), Madeleine Dye (so., sprints/relays), Jolene Houtsma (sr., sprints/relays), Annalyse Hurd (fr., sprints/relays), Caylin Weidenbach (so., shot put/sprints/relays).

Outlook: Leading the way on the boys’ side are McClelland, who finished sixth in the state 300 hurdles last year, and DeVries, who was the state’s top-ranked Class 2B pole vaulter before no-heighting at tri-districts. Those two and Riley are returning from the team’s state-placing relay team.

On the girls’ side, Taylor took fifth in the 400 and just missed placing in the 200. Whitener finished fourth in the pole vault and, along with Taylor, contributed to two state-placing relay squads.
Beyond a core group of seniors, both teams have a lot of youngsters learning the ropes.

“We’re looking really good,” Gudmunson said. “We have a good group of seniors and we’re still heavy with youth. We’re a young team and they’re still developing. There’s a lot of potential there. It’s a good looking group, and a lot of fun.”

Oak Harbor Wildcats

Coaches: Jay Turner, Eric Peterson

League: Western Conference North Division

Key returners: Boys — Donavan Hunt (jr., jumps/sprints), Stephen Lewis (sr., sprints/discus), Rashaad Smith (400/triple jump); Girls — Janessa Ramos (so., sprints); Allison Duvenez (so., hurdles), Hope Thompson (sr., sprints); Abby Leete (so., distances).

Key newcomers: Boys — Josh Higbee (jr., sprints/jumps), Josh Duhrkoph (sr., distances); Girls — Shante Young (jr., sprints/jumps), Mora McKole (fr., sprints), Morgan Murphy (fr., sprints).
Outlook: Hunt delivered at the tail end of the 2008 season.

He went 22 feet, 6 inches in the long jump for a big personal-best and a second-place finish in the Class 4A state meet.

Now, he’ll see what else he can do.

“He’s confident, but he realizes all but two or three of the top eight last year were underclassmen,” said Turner. “He knows it’s not going to be easy to replicate that.”

Hunt, who also ran the 1,600 relay at last year’s state meet, will also work hard this season on the 200.

The Wildcats return a handful of other state meet participants — sprinters Lewis, Smith, Ramos and Thompson all ran on relay teams — and Duvenez ran in the girls’ 300 hurdles.

Carson McKole, who ran in the state meet in the girls’ 100 and 200 last season as a junior, is not competing this year.

Turner said his program has quite a few talented long jumpers, but that it’s shy on triple and high jumpers.

“We’ve got some kids that have some pop,” he said. “We’ll see if they can do those other events.”

Sedro-Woolley Cubs

Coach: Tim Larson (13th year)

League: Northwest Conference

Key returners: Boys — Justin Leiber (sr., throws), Robert Macready (sr., throws), Mitchell Mataya (sr., pole vault), Paige Mendoza (sr., mid-distances), Dalton Moody (sr., pole vault), Cody Pohren (sr., hurdles/relays), Logan Johnson (sr., sprints); Girls — Sharayah Blair-Nelson (so., distances/relays), Brittany Grandy (so., jumps), Crystal Huff (jr., throws), Janelle Maddox (so., sprints/relays/pole vault), Hillary Young (sr., relays).

Key newcomers: Boys — Kevin Bartelt (sr., distances), Nick Butterfield (so., javelin), Jeremy Wright (jr., sprints); Girls — Cherish Mauk (fr., pole vault/sprints), Haylle Rabenstein (fr., pole vault/sprints/relays).

Outlook: There are plenty of Cubs who will make their presence felt at meets. Pohren is a multi-sport athlete Larson praises.

“He can do a lot of different things,” the coach said. “He’ll run the hurdles and be part of our relay teams. He’s just a good athlete.”

Johnson is going to run the 400 and be a member of several relay teams, while Macready could be a force in the throws, particularly the shot put where he had a throw of 54-feet last season.

Mataya and Moody have each eclipsed the 13-foot mark in the pole vault and Larson believes both can place high at districts and possibly make the state meet in the event.

On the girls’ side, the Cubs lost their two largest point scorers from a season ago to graduation. Now it will be up to those returning to make up the difference.

“We have a lot of young girls coming up and good numbers,” said Larson. “Overall, I think we’ll do better in dual meets rather than the big, multi-school meets because we just don’t have the depth.”

Blair-Nelson will be expected to shoulder a bulk of the scoring load. She’ll compete in the 800 and 1,600 meter runs as well as the relay events.

Look for Grandy to add the triple jump this season and Maddox the pole vault. And Larson has really impressed by what he’s seen from Rabenstein.

Stanwood Spartans

Coach: Jordan Sneva (first year)

League: Western Conference North Division

Top returners: Boys — Kale Schmidt (jr., jumps/hurdles), Mason Wrolstad (sr., hurdles/sprints), Alex Hatley (jr., throws), Michael Erickson (sr., sprints), Joe Eidsness (jr., javelin), Robert Hanke (jr., hurdles), Matt Howard (sr., wheelchair events); Girls — Trista Peterson (sr., throws), Natasha Verma (jr., distances), Emily Land (jr., distances), Riley Henderson (sr., sprints/jumps), Celia Smith (sr., jumps/sprints), Corinne Teichgrab (so., sprints/hurdles).

Top newcomers: Boys — Cam Waters (fr., distances), Josh Entwisle (so., hurdles/sprints), Adam Knott (fr., sprints/mid-distances), Russell Cleveland (so., sprints), Nick Olsson (sr., sprints); Girls — Jade Borseth (fr., distances/hurdles), Kaci Jones (fr., throws), Maddi Davis (so., distances), Minna Fields (so., distances), Christina Lancaster (sr., pole vault), Natalie Bergstrom (fr., jumps/hurdles/mid-distances).

Outlook: Schmidt will try to better his state meet finishes from 2008, when he placed eighth in the Class 4A long jump and fifth in the 300 hurdles.

On a preseason goals sheet, Schmidt said he shooting for titles in each event.

“He’s really determined,” said Sneva. “He’s really working hard. He’s staying after practice and he really wants to do it.”

Among the other top returners are three members of a boys’ 1,600 relay team that placed seventh in the state meet and set a school record.

Sneva has four sprinters capable of filling the vacant spot on the 1,600 team.

“We’re not quite the Jamaican track team, but we’re trying,” he said.