Moore finishes first in shot put

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — To say that Mountlake Terrace senior Dorothy Moore is a quick learner is an understatement.

After three years of focusing on her academic studies, Moore decided it was time to expand her interests for senior year. Hawks coach Russ Vincent tried to convince Moore to come out for track and field as a junior, but she decided the timing wasn’t right.

“This year I wanted something different,” Moore said. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. Mr. Vincent said, ‘We’ll find something for you to do.’”

That something turned out to be the shot put and discus and at last week’s Western Conference 3A championships, Moore took first place in the shot put with a throw of 36 feet, 2 inches. It was the best mark among all the throws in the district last week. The throw was a personal best by a foot and a half. Moore also had four other throws that topped her previous best mark. She also took fifth in the discus with a throw of 100-7.

Moore felt that she was coming into the postseason with a string of less than stellar throws.

“I haven’t been doing so good,” Moore said. “I was determined to break that streak. So I did that (at the Wesco 3A meet). I’m just hoping to keep that going into this week.”

The 3A District 1 meet is scheduled for May 16 and 18 at Oak Harbor High School. The discus competition is May 16 with the shot put set for May 18. Only the top two finishers advance to the state meet.

“I just need to mentally prepare and I also need to get my drills down,” Moore said.

Moore played volleyball growing up but did not do any sports in high school until track and field this spring.

“I didn’t know I was going to be this good,” Moore said. “But I’m pleasantly surprised.”

Moore’s teammate, senior Nina Penner, took second in the 800 with a time of 2 minutes, 18.8 seconds. Penner is aiming to close out her high school career with a fourth straight appearance at the state meet. She has the second faster time in the district.

Mountlake Terrace freshman McKenna Hunt placed third in the 300 hurdles (48.53).

Lynnwood sophomore Grace Douglas finished third in the 400 (1:02.75). Meadowdale senior Leah Bennett took third in the 100 hurdles (16.10) and junior Haley Suarez was third in the 1,600 (5:12.87) and third in the 3,200 (11:10.56). The Mavericks’ 400 relay team place third.

At the Wesco 4A championships, Edmonds-Woodway’s Djenne Dickens took second in the 200 (25.84) and third in the 100 (12.84). Teammate Hailey Kettel finished third in the 800 (2;21.37) and fourth in the 1,600 (5:20.16). The Warriors’ 1,600 relay team was second and the 400 relay team was fourth. The Bi-District meet is scheduled for May 16 and 18 at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. The top five finishers advance to state.