The Archbishop Murphy girls track and field team boasts the most talent in school history and its new coach is hopeful that the season will end with some hardware at state.
“We’re fully loaded I feel comfortable with who we have there,” said first-year coach Robert Gonzales. “I truly feel if the wind blows the right way that the girls team could be in the top four at state this year,”
The Wildcats feature junior Sarah Schireman who is the second-ranked long jumper in Class 2A right now with a mark of 16 feet, 9.5 inches. Schireman earned a seventh-place medal at state last year.
She’s also a top flight 300-meter hurdler who placed fifth last year. She competed in the 100 hurdles at state last year and could help the team in both the 400 and 1,600 relays. “She’s a studette,” Gonzales said.
Sophomore Lindsey Bos, who took fourth at state last year in the 400, returns in that event as well as the 800 and 1,600 relay. Senior Loran Moran, who finished 10th in the triple jump at state last year, returns in that event as well as the high jump, 800 and 1,600.
Senior Casey Gould competes in the 100 and 400 relay and possibly the 800 and 1,600 relays. Senior Becca Mitchell also runs the 100 as well as the 400 and 800 relays.
Sophomore Savannah Fletcher competes in the 800 and triple jump.
Senior Emma Nelson who has been injured the last two years returns healthy this season to run the 200 and 400 and possibly some relays. Sophomore Juliette Boddy and junior Jennifer Daviscourt add depth to the sprints.
Top freshman include Elyse Ulowetz in the 1,600 and 3,200 and thrower Kylie Revich in the shot put, discus and javelin.
Gonzales said the 400 relay has the fastest time in the Casacde Conference. The 1,600 relay is ranked fifth in the state in 2A with a time of 4:19.61.
“This girls team if you look at it is pretty much a well-rounded team,” Gonzales said with solid athletes in the sprints, field events and distances.
On the boys side, the Wildcats lost their lone state competitor, Nick Snyder, who won the 110 hurdles and earned a total of three medals at state last year.
The team is led by senior Henry Woods, a long and triple jumper who also runs the 400 relay. The Wildcats short relay could surprise some people, Gonzales said.
“If they blink we’re going to get them,” he said.
Senior Jared Smith competes in the 400 and 1,600 relay while junior Kelso Wilkins and sophomore Alex Martinez focus on the sprints.
Freshman Austin Vanderwel adds depth to the sprints and relays.
Sophomore Pat Throckmorton throws the javelin and freshman Steve Oswald is shot and discus thrower.
“As a coach I’m licking my chops at these kids,” Gonzales said. “(But) we’re going to take our lumps this year.”
Archbishop Murphy will probably fall in the middle of the pack in the Cascade Conference but Gonzales hopes several of his charges earn a trip to state and gain experience.
“We’re going to run the freshman and sophomores and get them battle-tested,” he said.
King’s, South Whidbey and Lakewood are among the strong programs on both the girls and boys sides in the conference.
Gonzales said 126 athletes turned out this year, compared to 80-some last year. The school scheduled some invites it could take both the varsity and junior varsity to which helped encourage participation, Gonzales said.
Gonzales takes over as head coach from Don McClure, who started the program at Archbishop Murphy and retired after last season. Gonzales coached at Garfield the last four years and applied for the Archbishop Murphy job after his schedule at the commercial alarm system company he works at changed.
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