by Eric Francis
Chelsea Genther (left) and Thomas Kassa are the Skagit Valley Herald's Track and Field Athletes of the Year.
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
