Several athletes from the Edmonds-Woodway boys and girls track teams are either looking to book return trips to the state meet or have legitimate chances to make their first appearance.
On the boys side, football and basketball standout Eric Greenwood has started out strong in the high jump. The University of Idaho recruit cleared 6 feet, 7 inches, a school record, in his first meet of the season. Greenwood placed ninth at state last year, just out of medal contention.
“We would anticipate that he not only would make it to state, but he definitely has the talent to be one of the top three in the state,” Edmonds-Woodway head coach Rick Fillman said. “That’s our hope and goal for him.”
Fellow football player Antoinne Wafer, the defending Western Conference South Division 400-meter champion, also is off to a fast start. He’s in the 51-second range. Wafer just missed out on advancing to state last year and should have a good shot this season, Fillman said.
Another standout is distance specialist Yonatan Yilma. The junior standout should be a contender in the 1,600 and 3,200.
“He’s had an outstanding season in both,” Fillman said.
Yilma finished 11th at the Class 4A state cross country championships last fall.
Sophomore Chris Routen is developing into one of the stronger throwers in the discus and shot put. Teammate Shaun Callahan has finished first in the javelin in two meets.
The girls team returns senior Kate Southcote-Want, who is still recovering from a torn ACL.
Fillman still has high expectations for Southcote-Want, who was sixth in the 1,600 at last year’s state meet.
“She’s not quite 100 percent, but she’s getting stronger all the time,” Fillman said. “I think she’s pretty close. … She’s a lot stronger. She’s working hard.”
Edmonds-Woodway returns two of the four sprinters that helped the 400 relay team advance to state. Back are Amy O’Banion and Onyi Esonu. Joining them this season are Katie Tougas and Caley Howard.
“They actually have a good chance of making it back to state,” Fillman said.
Tougas, a freshman, is the fastest runner on the girls team and won the 100 and 200 last week.
Two other key athletes for the Warriors are Jennifer Quick, a hurdler and pole vaulter, and Jordan Huegli, a middle distance runner, who focuses on the 800 and 1,600 relay.
Mountlake Terrace also should move some of its athletes on to state.
The boys team returns junior Matt Beeninga, who placed eighth in the 800 meters at state.
“He’s coming along well,” Hawks coach Russ Vincent said.
Senior Eric Doyle is a state returner in the 110 high hurdles. The Hawks also have a pair of promising javelin throwers in senior Bradley Weber and junior Chris Wells.
“A lot of good things are happening,” Vincent said. “Another three or four weeks we could be a contender for the Wesco South.”
The boys squad has 70 athletes out, an increase of 15 from a year ago.
The Hawks girls team is led by senior hurdler Dianna Hanson, who currently has the league’s fastest time in the 100 hurdles. Senior Tram Dihn is showing potential in the long and triple jumps. Junior Caitlin Hovick is having some solid throws in the javelin.
Meadowdale and Lynnwood both are in rebuilding phases. The Mavericks also have a new head coach in Tony Perkins, who focused on the springs and jumps as an assistant last season.
The boys squad is led by three-sport standout Matt Johnson, who runs the sprints and 400 relay. Another solid performer is Phil Stevenson, a 200 and 400 runner and a member of 1,600 relay.
Standouts on the girls team include senior distance runner Caroline Kratz and senior sprinter Paige Huff.
“Most of our team is freshmen and sophomores,” Perkins said. “Both teams are going to be building for the next two years.”
Longtime Lynnwood coach Duane Lewis also doesn’t have much experience back on either the boys or girls teams.
The lone state returner is sophomore Amanda Overdick, who placed eighth in the high jump at the Class 3A state meet.
“A lot of her success comes from real hard work,” Lewis said. “She’s one who never cuts corners and never misses practices.”
Junior Andrew Beatty is probably the top athlete on the boys side. Lewis said that he’ll probably focus on improving Beatty’s speed for football.
The Royals are struggling with numbers as only 20 boys and 12 girls are out for track.
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