SHORELINE — Last year, in its first year competing in Class 2A, the King’s boys track team won its first state track title in school history.
This year they’ll have to retool a bit with the losses of several key seniors, but the talent is there for another trip to the top.
Meanwhile, the King’s girls team, which faded to fourth at state last year, hopes to improve its standing on the podium come May.
When it comes to the King’s boys, much of the attention will be on senior Michael Davis, who has become a master of the new-style javelin in his four years at King’s. Davis, who owns the all-time state high school record of 211 feet, 3 inches set in 2004, threw 212-5 in a Junior Olympic qualifying meet, also in 2004.
Davis has yet to decide where he’ll throw in college, but he’s leaning toward tradition-rich Oregon, King’s coach Daunte Gouge said.
“If he keeps the focus he’s going to break some serious records this season,” said Gouge. “As soon as we get the technical stuff taken care of he’ll pop some big marks.”
A two-time state champion, in Class 1A and 2A, his best throw this season is 198-4. Davis, who stands an unimposing 5-foot, 9-inches, is ranked second in the country behind Preston Chatham of St. Paul’s High School in Covington, La.
If he wasn’t behind his good friend Davis, senior Andrew Lutton would be the top javelin thrower on most high school teams. Lutton, who is also trying to earn a football scholarship as a kicker, has thrown 171-7 this season.
In the distances, the Knight boys are led by a trio of juniors, Biniam Tadele and twins Jeff and Evan Dull.
Evan Dull ran a 2 minute, 2 second time in the 800 meters two weeks ago, “which is a great time this early in the season,” Gouge said. “He looked strong and comfortable doing it.”
Tadele’s focus is on the 1,600 and Jeff Dull is honed in on the 3,200.
“They’ll run all three (distance events) this season,” Gouge said. “I think they can all look for high podium spots when it comes to state.”
Sophomore Victor Swanson, who has thrown the shot put 44 feet, 11 inches this season, set the school’s freshman record last year and has his eye on the sophomore mark this year.
“He’s definitely doing the right things,” Gouge said. “He’s getting bigger and stronger, getting to the high 40s. Our district is just tough in all events but especially the throws.”
In the jumps, junior Jon Blauert and sophomore Tony Yakovich compete in the long and triple jumps. Blauert, out for track for the first time, has jumped 5 feet, 8 inches in the high jump, on sheer ability so far, Gouge said.
Sprinter Josh Fuller will be part of both the 400 and 1,600 relay lineups, with which Gouge is still tinkering. Senior Jared Madrazo, Davis and possibly Yakovich could run in the 400 relay.
On the girls side, the Knights finished fourth last year in their first year competing in Class 2A, after four consecutive 1A championships.
“We had the ability to win it. It’s funny how it becomes tough when you don’t win,” Gouge said. “We walked away feeling we really should have won. It was a tough pill to swallow that we didn’t have as good a state meet as we’d had meets all year.”
Helping the Knights’ cause is freshman cross-country standout Olivia Thomas, who has the top 2A time in the 800 meters, 2:30.28, so far this season. King’s also has another top 800 runner in sophomore Megan Northey.
Fresh off the Knights’ championship basketball season, senior Sara Mosiman in the long, triple and high jumps and junior Danielle Clauson in the javelin will play big roles. Mosiman, who is mixing her track workouts with spring basketball workouts at the University of Washington where she’ll play next year, also won a state javelin title in 2004, although that’s not her focus this spring.
Clauson, fourth at state last year, has thrown a personal record of 128 feet this spring and Gouge said he hopes she’ll hit 140-plus by the end of the year.
Also back is junior sprinter Kimi Mayhle, a key part of last year’s state championship 800-meter relay and eighth-place 400 relay. Individually, Mayhle was fifth in the 100 meters and seventh in the 200 meters at state last year.
Senior Jamie Hartman, who did not turn out last year, is back stronger and faster in the 100 meter hurdles, Gouge said. Senior Chelsea Snyder has switched from distances to the 300 hurdles.
Seniors Natalie Madrazo and Rachel Northey are featured in the long and triple jumps.
Senior Michelle Medema, who went to state in the discus in 2004, returns in the throws.
Senior Karissa Eslinger competes in the 3,200, continuing a strong King’s tradition in that event, Gouge said.
For both the boys and girls, Pullman is the team to beat, Gouge said.
“We definitely have the talent to make a drive to get in the top four. It depends on how the season plays out,” Gouge said. “You can never tell who comes out of where, when it comes to track.”
The Knights had 106 athletes turn out, with 47 of them freshmen.
“A lot of good athletes in that group,” Gouge said. “It will be a fun group to work with the next couple years.”
King’s will host the King’s Invite April 22, a meet that features 34 teams and 750 athletes from Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
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