Washougal track teams win White Salmon invitational

Several personal bests and strong performances from top to bottom propelled the Panther boys and girls track and field teams to first place at the Bruin Invitational Friday, in White Salmon.

“We didn’t have just one or two athletes who dominated across the board,” said head coach Dave Hajek. “It definitely was a team win for both boys and girls.”

The Washougal girls racked up 135 points to win the 5-team event. Kelley Young and Kari Johnson grabbed the top two spots in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles. Young won the 100 in 16.39 seconds and the 300 in 48.99 seconds. Johnson followed in 17.45 in the 100 and 52.77 in the 300. Kaite Wright clinched first in the long jump (16 feet, 1 1/4 inches) and the high jump (5 feet). Michelle Greear notched first in the shot put (28-10) and second in the discus (88-6). Kaitlyn Johnson captured first in the triple jump (30-10) and third in the 100 dash (13.61).

Young, the Johnson twins and Kelsey Lagerquist finished second in the 800 relay (1:53.58). The Johnsons, Lagerquist and Megan Sharp earned second in the 400 relay (54.46). Diani Antonov, Karly Murphy, Kayla Lockard and Kendall Utter took third in the 1,600 relay (4:53.14).

Kristen Graham grabbed second in the long jump (14-6 3/4) and the triple jump (30-7). Murphy (1:08.72) and Ashley Walker (1:10.74) finished second and third in the 400. Syndey Niemi notched second in the javelin (92-11), Mackenzie Pfeiffer placed third in the discus (79-8), Utter earned third in the 1,600 (5:48.9) and Hannah Wright took third in the 3,200 (13:23.64).

The Panther boys topped Hockinson by six points to finish first at the 4-team meet. Isaac Bischoff won the shot put (42-7 1/4) and the discus (137-7). Joe Harris racked up first place in the 110 hurdles (17.07), second in the discus (114-4), second in the high jump (5-6) and third in the triple jump (36-4 1/2). Isacc Stinchfield snatched first in the 800 (2:14.06) and second in the 1,600 (4:40.49).

Luke Lockard earned second in the 400 (57.94), Josh Banks took second in the 800 (2:15.85) and Kaidyn Campbell claimed second in the 300 hurdles (47.21). Jacob Banta, Campbell, Nick Green and Bobby Jacobs grabbed third in the 400 relay (48.71). Stinchfield, Lockard, Geer McGee and Banks finished third in the 1,600 relay (3:56.4). Nathan Milojevic notched third in the javelin (137-7), Noah Collins clinched third in the 1,600 (2:15.85), Drew Wilmoth took third in the 110 hurdles (19.36) and Campbell claimed third in the long jump (19-1 1/2).

Brendan Casey and Dylan Croeni made their Washougal coaches and teammates proud Saturday, at the Centennial Invitational in Gresham, Ore. Casey captured second in the pole vault (14 feet) and ninth in the javelin (169-6). Croeni earned second in the 3,000 (8:44.73).

“Centennial is one of the biggest meets in the Northwest,” Hajek said. “Both guys represented Washougal very well.”

The Panthers host the Washougal Twilight Invitational Friday, at Fishback Stadium. Athletes are coming from Battle Ground, Centralia, Fort Vancouver, Hockinson, Mark Morris, R.A. Long and Union high schools. Events begin at 3:30 p.m.

“Not only are you going to see the best that Washougal has to offer, but you’re also going to see some good competition,” Hajek said. “We want to see our kids get better times and distances. If we’re competitive, we’re going to be progressing. And if we’re progressing, we’re going to be competitive.”