Jackson’s Helmer, Kingma shine at league meet

Published 10:13 am Monday, March 3, 2008

EVERETT — Jeff Helmer could not have written a better script for the season.

The Jackson junior dominated both of his races at last week’s Western Conference South Division championships at Everett Stadium.

Helmer took first place in the 1,600-meter race with a time of 4:17.43 on May 18 and then coasted to a victory in the 3,200 with a time of 9:23.2 on May 20. The time in the 1,600 was a meet record, eclipsing Helmer’s previous mark of 4:22.23.

“I felt pretty good,” Helmer said after the 3,200. “It’s just nice to be at Wesco and be healthy finally. I don’t want to take any races for granted. I’m really psyched that coming into the end of the season I’m 100 percent healthy.”

Helmer battled injuries during the fall. He ended up taking 15th overall at the state cross country championships.

“I’m looking forward to districts and then state from there,” Helmer said. “My goal coming into the season was just to stay healthy and not get injured. After cross country I don’t want to be watching at the end of the season from the sidelines. I made a pretty good comeback I’d say this year.”

The finals of the Northwest District meet are scheduled to start at 5 p.m. today (Friday, May 27) at Shoreline Stadium.

Helmer led the 3,200 from start to finish and more importantly was running comfortably, according to Jackson coach Eric Hruschka.

“He looked very good,” Hruschka said. “He just kind of wanted to get into a nice smooth rhythm and work on a couple of things for state. After this fall, we’re just happy that he’s running healthy and running well now. When he finished he said, ‘That was fun.’ After the fall you don’t take things for granted.”

Jackson’s other standout athlete was freshman Kristi Kingma, who won the triple jump with a leap of 34 feet, 41/2 inches, and captured the 400 in a time of 1:00.35, which was a personal best. She also finished fifth in the 200.

The 400 was only Kingma’s second race back after she sustained a back injury during an AAU basketball game about three weeks ago.

“It was just good to get a win (in the 400),” Kingma said. “In the triple, I didn’t even do finals because my back was hurting too much.”

Kingma’s effort helped Jackson to a strong finish in the team competition. Shorewood won its fourth straight title, scoring 173.1 points, ahead of district rival Shorecrest, which tallied 144.6. Jackson took third with 101.1 and Meadowdale was fourth with 97. Edmonds-Woodway rounded out the top five with 82.

“I just wanted my team to do well as they could,” Kingma said. “I know Jackson is one of the strongest teams we’ve had in years. I just wanted to help these girls to get as far as they could.”

Kingma expects to be healthy for tonight’s 400 finals. The victory enabled Kingma to bypass the preliminaries and ensured her place in the finals.

“It’s getting better,” she said of her back. “I took two to three weeks off … I’m feeling really confident. At the beginning of the season I didn’t know what to expect and now I’m so competitive. Once I get into that race I just know that my competitiveness will take over and I’ll see where it can take me.

“I’d like to go to state in the triple and the 400, but whatever I can help my team to do, that’s what I’ll do.”

Also for the Timberwolves, Allison Body took second in the 300 hurdles and sixth in both the triple jump and 100 hurdles. Sophomore Laice Valera placed fourth in the 800 with a personal-best time of 2:26.27 and eighth in the 1,600. Allison Graham was fifth in the 3,200 and 11th in the 1,600.

Jackson’s 1,600 relay team took third, while the 400 and 800 teams each placed fourth.

Other top Jackson finishers include Katie Boulanger (third in high jump, eighth in 300 hurdles, 12th in triple jump), Whitney Rock (third in pole vault, ninth in high jump), Emmy Comstock (seventh in pole vault, 13th in high jump), Alyssa Pratt (12th in pole vault), Jacqueline Ricaurte (11th in triple jump), Carolyn Huynh (14th in triple jump), Ally Paschal (seventh in shot put), Audra Linsenmayer (eighth in shot put), Liz Sandoval (eighth in 3,200), Brianna Rockenstire (eighth in 100 hurdles) and Bridgette Hannifin (17th in shot put).

The Everett boys scored 236 points, finishing comfortably in first place ahead of Kamiak, which was second with 132. Shorecrest finished third with 106.5, while Jackson and Lynnwood were fourth and fifth respectively with 75.5 and 64.

For the Wolfpack, Kevin Salkey finished second in 400 and placed eighth in the 200. Travis Swingle took fourth place in triple jump with a leap of 41-51/4, beating his personal best by three feet. Patrick Croteau was fifth in 800 with a 1:59.8, the first time he’s run under two minutes. Croteau also took 11th in the 1,600.

Other top Jackson placers on the boys side included Chris Jackson (fifth in 400, seventh in 200), Kevin Iverson (seventh in 800, ninth in triple jump), Tom Heneghan (ninth in 3,200, 16th in the 1,600), Ryan Butler (11th in 3,200), Jordan Lance (15th in 3,200), Devin Branson (18th in 3,200), George Hoang (eighth in 300 hurdles), Corey Tupling (eighth in discus), Andrew Rochon (21st in discus), Michael Santoro (fifth in javelin), Joshua Cain (15th in javelin). The 1,600 relay team placed fourth.