STATE TRACK: K-M’s Vertrees, Bueno deliver bring home silver medals

  • BY Wire Service
  • Monday, June 1, 2009 5:20pm
  • Sports
Kent-Meridian's Melanie Vertrees took second in the high jump on Saturday

Kent-Meridian's Melanie Vertrees took second in the high jump on Saturday

Kent-Meridian’s Melanie Vertrees could envision the gold medal.

Teammate Kelsey Bueno can see it coming her way in the very near future.

The two K-M standouts delivered some gems on Saturday during the Class 4A state track and field meet at Mount Tahoma High.

But on this particular day, despite performances that may well have been golden during previous state meets, Vertrees and Bueno had to settle for silvers.

Vertrees, a senior who has been a granite pillar to the K-M program the last four years, brought home a silver medal in the high jump with a mark of 5-foot-8. She also qualified for state in the triple jump, shot put and 100 hurdles, but didn’t place among the top eight in those events.

The high jump, however, has been Vertrees’ best event all year. She delivered a mark of 5-10 last week during the district meet, a mark that ranks as the eighth best in the nation.

Saturday, however, Vertrees couldn’t quite reach that lofty level.

“I really thought this year that 5-8 would win it,” said Vertrees. “And when I went 5-10 at district last week, I was like, ‘Oh, 5-10 is going to win it.’”

Vertrees wasn’t completely wrong with her assessment as Mountain View’s Christine Rice did, in fact, go 5-10 to win the gold medal.

“Coming in, I had a bad last couple of days,” said Vertrees, who didn’t crack the state’s top eight in the other three events she qualified for state in. “I came in to win this. I had the state’s best high jump so far, and (Rice) got it today.”

While Vertrees was left somewhat frustrated by missing state gold, Bueno, K-M’s pole vaulting queen, couldn’t have been happier.

Bueno earned a silver medal with a mark of 11-9, which not only is a personal best, but more than a foot higher than what she was hitting just three weeks ago.

“I leave here ecstatic,” said Bueno.

Though, the K-M junior came one attempt away from taking home gold. Jessica Christian of Richland won the event with the same 11-9 mark as Bueno. However, Christian nailed 11-9 on her first try while it took Bueno a second attempt.

Both pole vaulters attempted the 12-foot barrier and narrowly missed.

“All week, (the coaches) were saying, ‘Go big or go home,’” said Bueno. “I leave here with a PR by six inches. And I almost had 12 feet … that’s pretty good.”

But even better when looking toward next year …

“(Christian) is graduating,” laughed Bueno, realizing before the end of Saturday’s state meet that she would be the favorite to win it all next year.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Kentridge girls soccer surprised the three signees at Kentridge. Photo provided by @ETDPI on Instagram.
National Signing Day for Kentridge | Photos

Four Chargers offically signed to play college sports.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athlete of the Week for Nov. 22: Kentwood

Nick Greutman (tennis) and Rowan Parsons (swim and dive) take home this weeks honors.

Kentridge senior Sierra Wallace dribbles the ball against Woodinville. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer falls 4-0 in state

Chargers make round of eight for second time ever and run into Woodinville buzzsaw.

Senior running back Antoine Lee avoids a Trojan defender early in the game against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
4A NPSL all-league football teams announced

Kentwood’s Antoine Lee named Offensive Player of the Year.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Addison Stendera and Riley Tricas take home this weeks awards.

Makenna Bennett in action against Tahoma back on Oct. 22 at Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer advances to state

Chargers make state for second consecutive year, take on Wenatchee.

Provided by Kent School District
Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Shawna Behrens

Behrens is in her 16th year of coaching and coaches three sports at Kentlake.

Zoey Sling wins a challenge against Tahoma late in the second half. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Soccer: Chargers draw level with Tahoma 1-1

Kentridge remains unbeaten and eyes league title with two games remaining.

Kentlake’s Lauren Tripp attempts to clear a ball inside the Kentlake defensive third. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentlake girls soccer falls to Decatur 4-0

Falcons held scoreless for first time all season, but aim for postseason.

Senior linebacker Chuka Savini lead the Kentwood defense on a huge stand in the fourth quarter against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Football: Kentwood outlasts Auburn in shootout 46-44

Antoine Lee records five touchdowns in the win for the Conks.

t
Former Kentwood High star Vandersloot wins 2nd WNBA championship

Courtney Vandersloot takes title with New York Liberty after winning crown in 2021 with Chicago Sky

Kentwood senior Aly Skagen with a tip over the net for the Conks. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood volleyball sweeps Stadium, moves into playoff position

Conks currently sit in fifth place in the NPSL.