SPSL NORTH BOYS TRACK GLANCE
∙ FAVORITES: Kent-Meridian.
∙ CONTENDER: Kentwood.
∙ COULD SURPRISE: Kentridge, Tahoma, Kentlake, Auburn.
∙ LEAGUE OUTLOOK: A reshuffling of the South Puget Sound League in track and field has left the North with six teams: Auburn, Kentlake, Kent-Meridian, Kentridge, Kentwood and Tahoma. Federal Way won the North last year followed closely by Kent-Meridian. K-M would have given the Eagles a stiff challenge for the North crown this spring. Federal Way’s shift makes K-M the heavy favorite to win the team title this season. It’s not that the rest of the North isn’t talented, but the Royals have returned almost all of their point scorers from state a year ago, when they finished second overall. Kentwood and Kentridge both have above-average talent, neither however has the depth of K-M. If the Royals don’t run into any health or grade issues, a state title is a legitimate possibility.
∙ NOTABLE: Along with a strong haul of returners (Derrick Daigre, B.J. Arcenaux, David Jones, Andrew Smith, Louis Garman, Nick Lemmon and Brandon Harris among others), K-M coach Ernie Ammons received a bit of a gift when senior Jordan Thompson-Walker turned out. A standout basketball player, Thompson-Walker is athletic enough to make an instant impact on the Royals. Meanwhile, look out for K-M freshman Abu Kamara (hurdles), who has the makings of being one of the league’s best for years to come. … Kentwood’s Tim Pettit took third last spring in the 800, which should be a loaded field again this year. Pettit should give K-M’s Daigre a push in a state sizzler. Kentwood’s Kevin Bateman (high jump, 200 meter), Tristan Askew (100, 200), Danny Lunder (distance) and Kevin Massimino (distance) give the Conquerors a solid foundation that should help them finish near the top of the North. … Kentlake certainly isn’t low on depth in the hurdles. In the 110-meter hurdles, sophomore Jaren Heck and junior Alex Strauss already rank among the North’s elite. In the 300-meter hurdles, Kentlake’s Shad Hall ranks fifth in the North, just behind Kentwood’s Jordan Jainga. … Kentridge has enough talent to make things interesting during league competition. Junior Alex Horton is among the state’s best in the distance races while the Chargers also boast of a pair of strong relay teams. Anchoring the 4 x 100 relay includes: Alec McKenzie, Chris Topps, Jimmie Davis, Aaron Abrams while the 4 x 400 relay team consists of a completely different group (Horton, Michael Carter, Reggie Collins, Bralen Westendorf).
SPSL NORTH GIRLS TRACK GLANCE
∙ FAVORITES: Kentwood.
∙ CONTENDER: Tahoma, K-M.
∙ COULD SURPRISE: Kentridge, Kentlake.
∙ LEAGUE OUTLOOK: Similar to the Kent-Meridian boys, the Kentwood girls have too much depth for any team in the league to compete with. Tahoma came into the season as the biggest challenger to the Conquerors, but were quickly dispatched 89-61 in the season-opener on March 18.
∙ NOTABLE: There could be several state titles coming from the North this spring. Look out for K-M’s Alexia Martin (distance) and Kelsey Bueno (pole vault), both of whom could put on a show at state. … Kentwood senior Dana Wareham is looking — and likely will grab — her fourth state berth in as many years. After taking sixth in the 400 last spring, Wareham could land atop the podium this time around. Teammates Holly Dehart (100, 200), Alyx Toeaina (throws), Kailey Ulland (distance) and Quincie Proctor-Guyton (100, 200) all could join Wareham on the podium. … Kentlake sophomore Maddi Varela has quickly emerged in the early season as one of the North’s top sprinters. Paired with teammate Laura Rayfield (jumps) gives the Falcons a strong 1-2 punch that should supply plenty of points. … Kentridge has the talent to do some damage this spring, especially with top returners Jaclyn Onosko (relays, javelin), Molly Shiroishi (800, 4 x 400 relay), Andrea Antrim (distance), Amelia Carpenter (pole vault), Katie Lake (sprints), Daniele Wilson (sprints) and Haley Bertelsen (relays) back in action.
CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
Pasco Invitation, April 17: All four Kent schools will be in action in this meet, which is regarded as one of the toughest of the year.
SPSL League Meet, May 12 and May 14, French Field: The North is stacked again this year and if you don’t want to travel far to see all the athletes, this is one you won’t want to miss.
State Meet, May 27-29, Mount Tahoma High: On a sun-splashed late May day, there isn’t a better, more entertaining place to be. Expect a few golden performances and a lot of excitement.
ON THE WEB
There isn’t a better track & field Web site around than www.athletic.net, which doesn’t only follow the preps from the Northwest, but the entire country. The site includes breakdowns of indoor track as well as cross country. In addition, it includes state leaders, league leaders and virtually everything in between.
SPSL NORTH ATHLETES TO WATCH
NAME SCHOOL YEAR EVENT(S)
Derrick Daigre Kent-Meridian Jr. 800
Notable: The 6-foot-4, 160-pounder is primed to repeat as state champion.
B.J. Arceneaux Kent-Meridian Jr. Sprints
Notable: One of the fastest sprinters in the state, could bring home gold in May.
Tim Pettit Kentwood Sr. 400, 800
Notable: Last year’s unknown is this year’s state challenger.
Derek Eager Tahoma Sr. Throws
Notable: Quite possibly the best in the shot put, discus and javelin in the state.
Kevin Bateman Kentwood Sr. High jump
Notable: Quietly has become one of state’s best high jumpers.
Alex Horton Kentridge Jr. Distance
Notable: One of state’s best long-distance guys.
Tate Latimer Tahoma Sr. Hurdles
Notable: Speedster could grab state gold in multiple events.
Alyx Toeaina Kentwood So. Throws
Notable: Multiple state titles could be on the horizon.
Kelsey Bueno Kent-Meridian Sr. Pole vault
Notable: WSU-bound has what it takes to grab gold at state.
Maddi Varela Kentlake So. Sprints
Notable: Underclassman already is among state leaders in 400.
Alexia Martin Kent-Meridian So. Distance
Notable: One of the most talented distance runners around.
Molly Shiroishi Kentridge So. 800, relays
Notable: Quickly moving up the ranks in the 800 meter.
Holly Dehart Kentwood Jr. Sprints
Notable: One of state’s best last year could take it all.
Dana Wareham Kentwood Sr. 400
Notable: The rock of a very talented Kentwood team.
Kailey Ulland Kentwood Jr. Distance
Notable: Came into her own in x-country, look out on the oval this spring.
Sammy Brooks Kentwood So. 100, discus
Notable: One of state’s best in the wheelchair events.
— Erick Walker/Reporter
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