The Washougal track and field athletes came home from Longview May 1 with crowns on their heads.
It was a special way to symbolize league championships for both teams. The girls finished first in league for the fourth year in a row, and the boys rose to the top of pile for the first time since the 2000 season.
“It was a very loud bus ride home. That’s all I can say,” said junior Joe Harris. “It’s just really cool to be the league champions. It shows that working hard in our events and helping others has such a good outcome.”
The Panther boys defeated Mark Morris 77-68. Isaac Bischoff grabbed first in the discus (125 feet, 6 inches) and shot put (41-7). Nathan Milojevic clinched first in the javelin (135-7) and the pole vault (12 feet).
Sean Eustis earned first in the 1,600 (4 minutes, 41.5 seconds), second in the 3,200 (10:29) and third in the 800 (2:04.33). Isaac Stinchfield snagged first in the 800 (2:03.8), second in the 1,600 (4:41.59) and third in the 3,200 (10:33.88).
Harris grabbed first in the high jump (5-6), second in the 110 hurdles (15.97) and the discus (118-8) and third in the triple jump (35-5). Karsten Short took first in the 100 (11.7) and second in the 200 (24.17).
The Washougal girls edged Mark Morris 76-74. Kaitlyn Johnson, Kari Johnson, Kelsey Lagerquist and Katie Wright finished first in the 400 relay (53.3). Wright also grabbed first in the high jump (5-2), and second in the long jump (15-11.5) and the 200 (29.83). Kaitlyn Johnson clinched first in the 100 (13.3) and the triple jump (32-7).
Mackenzie Pfeifer placed first in the shot put (27-11), second in the javelin (92-4) and third in the discus (61-8). Kayla Lockard took first on the pole vault (8 feet) and second in the 800 (2:47.2). Karina Miller claimed first in the 1,600 (5:42.1). Katelyn Purkeypyle earned first in the discus (65-6).
Head coach Dave Hajek couldn’t be more proud of these Panthers.
“This is something all of these kids can share. They all helped us win a league title,” he said. “What we should get out of this is that the kids cared enough about each other to make it more than just about themselves. They all came together as a team and looked beyond their own personal goals.”
Washougal hosts the 2A sub-district meet Friday, at Fishback Stadium. Events begin at 3:45 p.m.
“The reason we host these meets is to show people that we have a good program out here in Washougal,” Hajek said. “We try to give our kids the best opportunities to be successful. As long as they finish the season with their best mark or best time, that’s all you can really ask for.”
