Sprinters take center stage

The North Puget Sound League is loaded with top sprinters.

Kentridge High’s Solomon Hines can attest to that.

Hines capped a busy couple of days last week, posting the fastest times in the 100-meter (10.87 seconds) and 200 (22.12) finals of the NPSL track and field finals at Kent’s French Field.

But he has some fast company, notably Auburn Riverside’s Jaden Robinson, and Federal Way’s Marcus Eubanks and Anthony Frazier. All shone in the league heats.

The quick crew will step into the blocks again this week in the 4A West Central District track championships at French Field.

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The meet opens at 3:30 p.m. Thursday and concludes Saturday, with field events beginning at 10 a.m. The top seven finishers in each event qualify for the state meet May 24-26 at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma.

Hines likes his chances.

“It’s going to be a good challenge,” said Hines, a senior, who has the state’s third-fastest time in the 200 (21.76) and fifth best in the 100 (10.79). “It’s going to go down to who wants it more mentally.”

Hines, whom league coaches selected as the NPSL Cascade Division Boys Track Athlete of the Year, also anchored the 400 relay, joining Nathan Peak, Deontae Roberts and Caleb Barrera to a second-best time of 42.69.

Tyler Cronk doubled for the Chargers, advancing in the high jump (6 feet, 10 inches) and long jump (personal-best 23-1½).

For Kentwood, sophomore Daniel Gaik captured the 400 with a personal-best 50.03.

Kent-Meridian’s Alex McGeachy was solid in the hurdles, delivering a second-best time of 15.35, a personal record in the 110s, and was second in the 300 with another personal best, 39.77.

Elsewhere

Strong in numbers, Tahoma won the boys and girls team titles. … Kentridge’s Lauryn Ford claimed the long jump (18-3). … Kentridge’s Bonet Henderson had the second-best time in the 400 (personal-best 59.46). … K-M’s 400 relays of Sole’ Shelton, Olivia Carter, Jaleesa Taylor and Brittany Tellis had the No. 2 time of 49.18. … The Chargers’ Alexis Mallory was second in the pole vault (personal-best 9-9). … Kentlake’s Julie Fong tripled in the discus (135-10), shot put (40-8) and javelin (120-7). … Cronk (boys field) and Fong (girls field) were chosen NPSL Cascade Division Athletes of the Year.

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