The Edmonds-Woodway boys and girls track teams have the potential to move a number of individuals on to the Class 4A state track and field championships later this spring.
A newcomer who’s already made quite an impact with the Warriors’ boys squad is newcomer Alec Fellows. The Edmonds-Woodway freshman has the league’s top time in the 110-meter high hurdles and also undefeated in the triple jump. He also has solid performances in the high jump and 300 hurdles.
“He’s just an incredibly gifted athlete,” said Edmonds-Woodway coach Rick Fillman. “He’s extremely smooth and has a natural strike.”
Fellows placed second in the young boys pentathlon at the USA Track and Field National Junior Olympic Track &Field Championships July 24 in Walnut, Calif. The pentathlon consists of the high jump, 100 hurdles, long jump, 1,500 and the shot put.
As good as Fellows is performing right now, his potential may be even greater.
“He’s got so much upside,” Fillman said. “He’s just a freshman. He’s really just kind of scarping the surface. He’s going to continue to get stronger and refine his technique.”
Fellows should be a contender in the postseason, Fillman said. “He’ll definitely be in the mix, definitely be one of the kids to watch. He has as good a shot to win the league.”
Senior Calvin Grover has clocked in with the second best time in the 800 and is off to a solid start in 2008.
“He’s been working very hard,” Fillman said. “This is as strong as I’ve ever seen him. He’s having a fun year. He just decided to work really hard over the winter.”
Junior Will Broadlick has improved his discus throw by 10 feet. He’s currently throwing in the 130 feet range and is aiming to be at around 140 by the end of the season.
“He stays after practice to work. He goes out on his own on Saturdays,” Fillman said. “He just is really dedicated.”
Two other seniors also should figure into the postseason mix. Yon Yilma is one of the state’s top distance runners and Antoinne Wafer is a top 400 runner. The two also are on the 1,600 relay team.
“I would expect both of those guys have a very good shot at making state as well,” Fillman said.
Sophomore sprinter Katie Tougas is the top returner on the girls team. As a freshman, she set the school record in the 100.
“She’s actually running a little bit faster than this time last year,” Fillman said. “I anticipate her lowering the school record. She is again one of the top three sprinters in the league and district. She is looking to go back to state this year.”
Tougas advanced to state in the 200.
“It’s really nice to have that (state) experience,” Fillman said. “You can use that and build upon that, especially in the second, third and fourth time around.”
Freshman Amia Nash has run the second fastest 400 in the district and is undefeated in three meets.
“If she continues to build she has a good chance of making it to state,” Fillman said.
The 400 relay team of Tougas, Nash, freshman Carlin Huegli and freshman Victoria Felton also is showing strong potential, Fillman noted.
Though she has yet to compete in a meet this season, junior Elizabeth Melnikas should be one of the league’s top pole vaulters. She cleared 10 feet last season.
The Lynnwood boys team is lead by junior Dylan Burnett-Lewis, who finished a surprising third in the javelin at the Class 3A championships last year. Burnett-Lewis uncorked his best throw of the meet and of his career on his final attempt (182 feet, 2 inches).
Senior Andrew Beatty also throws the javelin and actually has beat Burnett-Lewis in the Royals’ last meet.
“They’re probably two of the three best in the 3A Northwest District,” said Lynnwood coach Duane Lewis. “Both have got a good chance of going to state.”
Another key returner is junior Alec Williams, who qualified for state in the 110 high hurdles. Unfortunately a school band commitment prevented Williams from running at the state meet. Two other Royals to keep track of are junior hurdler Jacob Cannon and junior throwers Derek Alexander.
The girls team suffered a heavy blow when junior Amanda Overdick was lost due to an ACL injury she suffered in soccer. Overdick finished sixth in the high jump at state and also ran in the 400.
“Right now I’ve got some good individual kids,” Lewis said.
Freshman Colleen Hill is a solid sprinter and sophomore Laycee Hill has developed into one of the league’s top throwers. She’s been either first or second in the shot put and javelin in her last two meets. Sophomore Jessika Barlow broke the school sophomore record in the javelin and also is a good jumper.
Freshman Danielle Alexander does a wide range of events, including the high jump, long jump, javelin and relays. Juniors Stephanie Gahan is the Royals’ to hurdler and Alanna Eddy is doing well in the throws. The Royals’ top distance runner is sophomore Mawa Ali.
“We have a good nucleus, a good group of kids that can score in bigger meets,” Lewis said. “But we don’t have depth.”
The same could be said for Mountlake Terrace. Like the Royals, turnout is down for the Hawks.
“We’re not deep but we’ve got some good kids,” said Mountlake Terrace coach Russ Vincent. “We’ve got some potential down the road.”
Senior Chris Wells finished 14th in the javelin at last year’s state boys meet. He’s currently throwing in the 160-feet range.
“Things are coming along really well,” Vincent said. “He’s probably 20 feet ahead of last year, which is really good.”
Senior Matt Beeninga advanced to state two years ago, but came down with mono last year. He’ll run the 800 to the 3,200. He ran the 800 at state as a sophomore.
Two other standouts are Evan Koreyasu, the Hawks’ top jumper, and junior Michael Tran, a strong distance runner.
The top returner for the girls team is senior distance runner Cari Smith, who’s already has set a personal record this season in the 3,200.
Other top performers include junior hurdler Titi Chikoore, sophomore long jumper Jenna Donahue and senior javelin thrower Caitlin Hovick, who is leading the league in the javelin. Freshman Anna Walters has shown potential in the 800. Meadowdale top individuals so far on the boys team include junior sprinter Phil Stevenson and junior Jace Sherrill (400). Throwers Joe Morelli and Dylan Griffiths also have started out the season well.
The Maverick girls are led by senior distance runner Caroline Kratz and sprinter/jumper Renee Gittens.
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