SHORELINE — Everett came in as the defending Class 3A state champion, but after the first day of the Northwest 3A District Track and Field Championships, Arlington looks like the team to beat.
Yes it’s early — Wednesday featured only four event finals with the rest coming Friday — but Arlington sent a message to Everett and the rest of the competition by winning three of those four events and piling up 64 first-day points.
“That’s our goal, it has been all season,” Arlington coach Judd Hunter said, referring to a district title. “We see it. It’s at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully we can have a good Friday. The guys are performing at or above where I thought they would be, so I’m very pleased right now.”
Hunter knows that Everett, which sits in second place with 23.6 points, won’t hand over the district title without a fight.
“We know they are the biggest competition,” he said. “We’ve faced them numerous times and it’s always tough.”
The Eagles piled up points in the 1,600-meter run, which was won in 4 minutes, 31.15 seconds by junior Sean Gregory. He was joined in the top six by fellow Arlington runners Luke Passalacqua, Paul Simbeck and Charlie Ewell, who finished fourth through sixth.
Gregory, whose victory earned him his first trip to state, was hoping to just finish in the top two to earn the state berth. He said the race went exactly according to plan as he stayed behind early leader Cody MacDougall of Everett, then used a strong kick in the final 300 meters to win.
“My secret weapon is my 300 kick there, and that’s what took them,” he said. “It was perfect.”
MacDougall was disappointed to fade to third place and miss out on state. He led after three laps, but finished just behind Shorecrest’s Joseph McConaughy for the final state berth.
“I thought it would come down to me and Cody, I didn’t know about Joseph,” said Gregory. “Cody ran a great race, I wish it was me and him going to state.”
Another strong event for the Eagles was the long jump, which featured a one-two Arlington finish of Brandon Gunter (21-feet, 6.25 inches) and Bryan Mack (21-0). Both hope to clear 22 feet at next week’s state meet, but Mack’s first goal is to recover from a hamstring injury that has bothered him for the last two weeks.
“We scored some points today for our district championship,” said Mack. “That was a big goal coming in.”
Mack was the day’s fastest qualifier in the 100-meter dash, finishing in 11.26. He will be joined in the final by teammates Marcus Dolan and Kellen Botten. Everett also qualified three runners for the 100 final; D.J. Grim, Joseph Giesick and Nick Thomas.
Giesick and Grim were the day’s top two qualifiers in the 200, while Dolan had the third-fastest time.
Kurtis Hampton was the third Arlington winner, taking the shot put title with a mark of 51-5.75.
Everett’s J Hopkins, last year’s 300 hurdle state champ, cruised to easy heat victories in both hurdle events. His 110 hurdle time (15.10) and 300 hurdle time (39.73) were easily the fastest of the day.
Hopkins said he had hoped to run a more impressive time in the 300 hurdles, but that his coaches instructed him to take it easy.
Everett’s Spencer Sawyer qualified for state in the high jump by finishing second with a leap of 6-feet.
The district meet concludes Friday at Shoreline Stadium.
Northwest District 3A Track and Field
At Shoreline Stadium
Top two advance to state
Team scores (through four events)—Arlington 64, Everett 23.6, Shorecrest 21, Ferndale 17.6, Squalicum 17.6, Sedro-Woolley 6.6, Mount Vernon 5.6.
1,600 — 1, Gregory, Arlington, 4:31.15; 2, McConaughy, Shorecrest, 4:31.38.
High jump — 1, Watson, Ferndale, 6-1; 2, Sawyer, Everett, 6-0.
Shot put — 1, Hampton, Arlington, 51-5.75; 2, Potes, Squalicum, 50-11.75.
Long jump — 1, Gunter, Arlington, 21-6.25; 2, Mack, Arlington, 21-0.
For complete results go to Athletic.com
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