SHORELINE
Yes, the Shorewood girls track and field team has won five consecutive Western Conference South Division titles.
But no, they won’t do it again this year.
The Thunderbirds lack the depth they’ve had in years past, coach Howie Wood says.
But winning the Wesco South title isn’t what track season is all about anyway, Wood says. That’s icing on the cake if it happens. A successful track season is about setting personal records and enjoyment, he said.
High jumper Caroline Soules is the T-birds’ sole returning state participant on both the boys and girls teams. The 5-foot, 11-inch Soules cleared 5-feet to finish 13th last year, but her season best of 5-4 came at districts.
Soules said she hopes to jump 5-6 this year and finish in the top eight at state. Having soaked in the atmosphere at state she now knows what to expect if she makes it to Pasco the last weekend in May.
“I can be a whole lot more prepared for that,” she said.
Soules has been going to physical therapy to treat a stress fracture in her back she suffered during volleyball season but said it’s “doing a lot better.”
Senior Janae Christiansen is a strong shot putter and could qualify for state in that event. She also does the discus.
In the distances, the T-bird girls have a solid group led by junior Sara Levy in the 800 and 1,600 meters, junior Christie Rusch in the 1,600 and 3,200 and sophomore Erica Jensen in the 1,600 and 3,200.
Freshmen Emily Osborne and Devon Geary shore up the distance lineup.
Sophomore Amanda Clark returns in the 100 and 200 meters and senior Jenny McCall runs the 400. Freshmen Jamie Carroll and Ashleigh Marchant bring new blood to the sprints. Senior Hannah King throws the javelin.
On the boys side, several seniors including co-captain Erik Lee are sporting mohawks for the season. Lee specializes in the high jump and can go about 6-feet right now. He also does the long and triple jump as does fellow senior captain Shane Gruger.
Newcomer Kelley Neubauer, a senior, throws the discus and shot put and junior Tyler Nichols also throws the discus.
Other new faces include junior James Danner in the javelin and freshman Kane Thomas in the 400 relay.
Junior Taylor Hartman plans to compete in the 300 hurdles, the same event his older brother Brock went to state in before graduating last year.
Senior Justyn Cox does the pole vault and triple jump while senior Gabi Medrash pole vaults.
Senior Kenny Yiu, who competes in the 800 and 1,600, is the T-birds top distance runner, but distances aren’t one of the deeper areas of the team.
Kamiak, Jackson and Shorecrest are the teams to beat in the Western Conference South Division on the girls side, while Kamiak, Jackson and Mariner are the top teams on the boys side, Wood said.
The top finishers in each event move on to state from the 4A District 1 meet which will be held May 16 and 18 at Shoreline Stadium.
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