EDMONDS — Alison Ponce didn’t realize she had a chance of winning the 1,600-meter run until she found herself at the head of the pack with just 100 meters to go.
But it was over long before that.
Ponce broke out of a pack of three runners near the start of the final lap and cruised to the win at the Wesco South Division girls track and field meet at Edmonds District Stadium on Friday. It was the second event win of the meet for the Jackson junior and helped her team to first place as well.
On Wednesday, Ponce won the 3,200-meter run, an event she considers herself much more suited for. But when it became evident her top competitors were running out of steam in the 1,600, she decided to win that one as well.
“I really didn’t think I could get first, because (Erin) Johnson (of Shorewood) was way ahead,” Ponce said. “In the last lap, it actually seemed attainable, so it just clicked in my mind that I should go for this one too.”
Ponce’s time of 5 minutes 12.25 seconds was a second off her personal best. Johnson, a freshman, finished second with a 5:13.29.
Jackson had 198 team points, enough to best second-place Shorecrest at 179.3 and Edmonds-Woodway at 105.8.
The Timberwolves nearly pulled off a monopoly of available points in the 300-meter hurdles, taking individual spots one, two and three. Emily Girard won by leaning over the finish line ahead of teammate Rachel Casel. Girard had a time of 48.52 and Casel a 48.76.
It was a symbolic win for Girard, who missed the first four weeks of the season with an injury. She said she has monitored her rehab progress on her ability to keep up with Casel.
“I think I’m finally getting back into shape,” she said. “Last year, Rachel and I were always neck-and-neck in that race. So it’s good to see that we’re back at that stage again.”
Jackson got another first-place finish from Samantha Bowers in the shot put. The sophomore’s toss of 34 feet, 9 inches was more than a foot better than the runner-up.
Shorecrest did well in the sprint events, as freshman Elisa Ahern won the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.60 and teammate Alexis Ramos was first in the 100-meter dash with a 12.85.
Edmonds-Woodway, in third place, actually won more events than both Jackson and Shorecrest. The Warriors won all three relay events and got first-place finishes from freshman Amia Nash with a 1:00.21 in the 400-meter dash and Katie Tougas with a 26.36 in the 200-meter dash.
Jenna Donohue of Mountlake Terrace was a double-event winner, taking the triple jump on Friday and the long jump on Wednesday.
At Edmonds District Stadium
Team scores—Jackson 198, Shorecrest 179.3, Edmonds-Woodway 105.8, Shorewood 97, Mountlake Terrace 90.5, Kamiak 81, Meadowdale 37, Lynnwood 22, Mariner 17.3.
100 hurdles—Ahern (SC) 16.60; 100—Ramos (SC) 12.85; 1,600—Ponce (J) 5:12.25; 400 relay—Edmonds-Woodway 51.05; 400—Nash (EW) 1:00.21; 300 hurdles—Girard (J) 48.52; 800—Davis (K) 2:21.76; 200—Tougas (EW) 26.36; 800 relay—Edmonds-Woodway 1:49.24; 1,600 relay—Edmonds-Woodway 4:13.77; Shot put—Bowers (J) 34-9; Triple jump—Donohue (MLT) 35-9¼; High jump—Soules (SW) 5-2
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
