Lynnwood hurdler Caitlin Bonney is off to a slow start this spring but is hoping to finish strong.
The Royals’ senior standout, who finished second in the 300-yard hurdles at last year’s Class 3A state track and field championships, has been battling a couple of hamstring strains and ran her first hurdles event at last week’s Western Conference South Division meet against Shorewood and Mountlake Terrace.
Bonney finished with a time of 48.02 seconds, a time she wasn’t exactly thrilled about but one that she said was all right to start out the season.
“My time wasn’t what I wanted it to be coming out of the gate,” Bonney said. “It felt good to get it over without any pain.”
Bonney’s hamstring problems were a result of a combination of fatigue from select soccer and track. Bonney has been doing all that she can to get healthy, including seeing a chiropractor, resting and icing her legs.
This weekend Bonney is headed to California to compete in the Arcadia Invitational, a showcase for some of the nation’s top track and field athletes.
Last year, Bonney competed in the 800. This year she’ll be doing the 300-yard hurdles.
“I’m just hoping for a good time,” Bonney said. “I’m aiming for somewhere in the 45s. Considering how my race went last week, where I am physically with my hamstrings, I think it’s a reasonable goal. I’m just hoping for a good race and good weather.”
In addition to the hurdles, Bonney plans to try some different events this season, including the high jump, which she just started this week.
“I’ve been wanting to try some field events,” Bonney said. “It’s a little less stress on my hamstring. That way I can get my team more points.”
Bonney also is a member of Lynnwood’s 1,600 relay team, which advanced to state last year.
After Arcadia, Bonney then will be pointing toward the Pasco Invitational on April 15.
“I’m definitely hoping to go into that with a strong run and keep building up towards state,” Bonney said. “My goal is to win state.”
Bonney has accepted a soccer scholarship to Washington State University but hasn’t decided whether she will run track.
Bonney’s coach has given her the option of continuing her track career if she can fit it into her schedule.
“I want to see how my freshman year goes,” Bonney said. “It would be awesome to continue to do both events though it’s a stress on my body and mentally. I’ve been doing (track) for so long it would be weird to not do it.”
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