Everett, Wash.
Published: Sunday, May 31, 2009

Cedarcrest's Candland returns to state victorious

After struggling last year at state, the Cedarcrest senior wins the 400 and leads the Red Wolves to a second-place finish in the 1,600 relay.

By Mike Cane
Herald Writer

 TACOMA -- In one remarkable year, Adam Candland went from devastation to exhilaration.

Last year Candland qualified for the Class 2A state track and field meet in the 400-meter dash, but he struggled and did not advance beyond his preliminary heat. His return to state was quite a turnaround.

A senior at Cedarcrest High School, Candland won the 2A boys 400 Saturday during the conclusion of the 2A, 3A and 4A state track and field championships at Mount Tahoma Stadium. Candland is the first male Cedarcrest track champ in 14 years, according to Cedarcrest co-head coach Bruce McDowell. (Jacob Predmore won back-to-back triple jump titles for Cedarcrest in 1994 and 1995.)

In 2008, Candland's problem wasn't physical, it was mental, said Cedarcrest co-head coach Lisa Woodard, who trains Candland. This spring they worked on shaping up his mind as much as his legs.

"He hadn't really mentally prepared himself, so we spent the entire year really working on the mental part of getting (to state) and being able to hold your own and manage your nerves," said Woodard.

Almost three hours after winning the 400, Candland ran the anchor leg for Cedarcrest's 1,600 relay squad, which placed second behind heavy favorite Lynden. Finishing in 3 minutes, 21.12 seconds, Lynden broke the meet record set by South Whidbey in 2001.

In the 400, Candland held off several challengers in the final straightaway. Wearing bright-blue track shoes that looked extra flashy compared to his black uniform, he turned it on down the stretch -- something he is known for. He did it again at the end of the 1,600 relay race, passing an opponent to snare second place.

"The strength for him is his comeback," said coach Woodard. "He comes off that back stretch and he sees where he's at, and it's all about chasing and about setting himself up for the final stretch."

In addition to his shiny blue shoes, Candland wore blue wool socks -- a wacky choice considering the steamy weather. The socks are a good-luck charm, Candland said. He has worn them in races for several years.

When you are as fast as Candland, you can wear whatever you want. He won the 400 in a personal-record time of 49.25 seconds; his previous best was 49.33.

"Coming into that last stretch, my feet were on fire and my head was just throbbing," he said.

Regarding the burning feet problem: maybe it was the wool socks?

Asked about becoming Cedarcrest's first male track champ since 1995, Candland smiled but didn't boast. That's not his style, explained coach Woodard: "He's very humble. He's modest. He always gives credit to his teammates and to me all the time."

Elsewhere in the 2A boys meet, Lakewood's Taylor Guske finished sixth in the 2A boys 1,600 in 4:28.61. Blaine's Tim Bradley, one of Guske's district rivals, won it in 4:20.72. Guske also earned a medal in his other event this week, placing third Thursday in the 3,200.

"Overall, the (1,600) race was not what I wanted to do," Guske said, "but I can't be mad about how I ran. I ran as hard as I could."

Guske scored nine points in his events, helping Lakewood tally 28 points and tie for eighth with Burlington-Edison and River Ridge in the team standings. Cameron Hess and Payden Butler combined to score 14 points for Lakewood when they finished 2-3 Friday in the boys javelin.

Lynden (45 points) won the 2A team title.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA