If the Pasco Invite was an indication of what’s to come, several area track stars should do well at the Class 3A/4A state track and field meet in June.
Several area standouts performed well Saturday at the massive invitational in Eastern Washington that included most of the state’s elite competitors. Among boys, individual champions from local schools were Kamiak teammates Kelly Spady (3,200 meter run, 9:20.45) and Chase Mancuso (discus, 179 feet, 1 inch). The seniors helped the Knights finish eighth out of 65 boys teams.
Also, Clint Osborn of Lake Stevens took first in the shot put with a top heave of 59-11.5.
Everett placed 20th, propelled by a third-place medley relay team, junior Rick Gervasi’s third-place finish in the javelin (188-4) and senior Isaac Hicks’ shot put effort (51-9, eighth).
Lakewood’s Adam Togstad (fourth in the javelin, 183-4) and Arlington’s Jake Webb (fifth in long jump, 20-7) also placed.
On the girls side, Snohomish (tie for 12th), Lake Stevens (tie for 14th) and Everett (tie for 17th) placed in the upper half of the 38-team field. Individual champion Kara Sporrong (11:00.97 in the 3,200), a sophomore, and junior Amanda Stopa (seventh in the 800, 2:22.9) led Snohomish. Additionally, Jessica Yates took eighth in the triple jump (35-5.5) and the Panthers medley relay group finished fourth.
Everett’s Cori Moore, a junior, had an impressive meet, winning the 800 (2:17.54) and placing third in the 400 (58.54).
Other girls placers included:
Jasmine McCormack of Arlington, second in the javelin (138-3); Elise Page, Lake Stevens, third in the 800 (2:20.72); Andrea Patterson, Lake Stevens, fourth in the triple jump (36-1.5); Caitlin Bonney, Lynnwood, fourth in the 300 hurdles (46.17); Kimery Hern, South Whidbey, fourth in the discus (128-2); Lauren Sego, Shorewood, fifth in the javelin (132-8); Brandie Edwards, Lake Stevens, sixth in the 100 hurdles; and Lisa Anderberg, Kamiak, eighth in the 1,600 (5:16.63).
Kamiak’s Mancuso signs with WSU, other Knights also choose: Kamiak senior Chase Mancuso recently signed a letter of intent to compete in track and field at Washington State University.
Mancuso, one of the state’s premier discus throwers, said he probably will compete in the discus, shot put and hammer throw for WSU.
“I like their coaches,” he said. “They have a great team and they’re going to have a great team next year.”
Mancuso said the school’s renowned communications program also attracted him.
Several other Kamiak athletes recently committed to compete for various schools. Among basketball players, Sean Hermes picked Edmonds Community College and Billy Johnson will play for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Kamiak coach Jeff Leary said.
Hermes, a 6-foot guard, averaged 17.2 points per game as a senior and was named to The Herald’s All-Area Class 3A/4A second team. Johnson, a 6-7 post, averaged 8.8 points. The duo helped Kamiak make school history with its first district championship and its first state tournament appearance.
In football, Kamiak linebacker Nate Hadley and Knights defensive back Thomas Callandret also committed. Hadley will play for Whitworth in Spokane. Callandret is destined for the College of the Siskiyous (Weed, Calif.), Kamiak coach Dan Mack said.
Monroe’s Thompson named to PARADE All-America Second Team: Monroe senior Kirsten Thompson, a 6-foot-6 center, was named to the PARADE All-America High School Girls Basketball Second Team. The selection puts the Arizona State University-bound Thompson among a prestigious group of 40 players from around the country honored by PARADE. Only one other athlete among the group, third-team pick Ta’Shia Phillips of Brebeuf Jesuit (Indianapolis), is as tall as Thompson.
Linton to play hoops at Saint Martin’s: Jake Linton, a standout guard at Meadowdale, verbally committed to play basketball at Saint Martin’s College in Lacey. A member of The Herald’s All-Area Class 4A/3A First Team, Linton averaged about 20 points and four assists per game this year, shooting 50 percent from 3-point range and 88 percent from the free-throw line.
Meadowdale coach Chad McGuire said Linton could make an immediate impact at Saint Martin’s, an NCAA Division II school that competes in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. “He can go in there and play right away,” McGuire said. “He’s more than just a shooter – he’s a highly skilled guard.”
“He’s such a great competitor,” McGuire added. “He had as good a year as any guard in recent history. … He exceeded our expectations.”
Snohomish’s Caraballo commits to PLU, Allen chooses WWU: Snohomish quarterback Nick Caraballo made a verbal commitment to play football at Pacific Lutheran University, an NCAA Division III school in Tacoma. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Caraballo completed 78 of 148 passing attempts (52.7 percent) for 1,201 yards and 12 touchdowns in the fall. It was one of the top passing performances in the past 10 years of the program, according to Snohomish coach Mark Perry.
Caraballo said he can’t wait to suit up for PLU.
“I’m definitely looking forward to working with (PLU coach Scott Westering),” Caraballo said. “He seems like just a phenomenal guy.”
Caraballo also considered Colorado College but said PLU’s close proximity and welcoming atmosphere won him over.
“They accept you into their family right away,” Caraballo said.
Also, Jesse Allen, a Snohomish offensive lineman who protected Caraballo, will play for Central Washington University, Perry said. Allen is 6-1, 250 pounds.
M-P boys golfer Whitworth-bound: Steve Johnson of Marysville-Pilchuck will play golf at Whitworth College, according to a press release from the Spokane school. Johnson qualified for the 2004 Class 4A state tournament and advanced to the second day of competition. He will join a Whitworth team that is expected to challenge for the 2005 Northwest Conference Championship in just its second year of existence.
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