A test of endurance

The Washougal High School track and field teams were tested by two home meets and an invitational during the past six days.

After defeating Hockinson and R.A. Long Wednesday, and finishing in the top five at the Kalama Invitational Friday, the Panthers were running on fumes against Mark Morris Monday.

“Not only that, it was really windy and hot,” said senior Karina Miller. “We did our best, and that’s all you could ask for.”

The Monarchs overwhelmed Washougal Monday, at Fishback Stadium. It was the first loss of the season for the Panther girls, while the boys lost their second league duel.

Matt Rotundo won the 110-meter hurdles (17.24 seconds) and the triple jump (40 feet, 8 inches) for the Washougal boys. Josh Bischoff grabbed first place in the discus (131-4.5) and the shot put (44-6). Christian Mischler clinched first in the 300 hurdles (47.34), Levi McDonald claimed first in the high jump (5-4) and Austin McLaughlin earned first in the long jump (18-9.5).

Morgan Rodgers gained first place in the shot put (33-5.25) and the discus (109-2) for the Panthers girls. Courtney Owens won the 3,200 (13:56.02) and Hannah Lintala notched first place in the 800 (2:32.12). Anna Sharp took first in the javelin (94-6), Christina Murray soared to first on the pole vault (9-6) and Stacie Cuff finished first in the triple jump (28-7.25).

The Washougal athletes have four days to prepare for the Panther Twilight Friday, at Fishback Stadium. The invitational will bring Centralia, Mark Morris, R.A. Long, Ridgefield, Stevenson, White Salmon and W.F. West to Washougal. Events start at 3:30 p.m.

Miller said she has a lot of memories from the Panther Twilight. This year, the meet falls on her 18th birthday.

“It’s cool to have our own track meet under the lights,” she said. “Hopefully a lot of people will come and support us. It’s great to here people cheering you on.”

The Washougal boys finished in fourth place at the Kalama Invitational Friday. Aubrey Kraft clinched first place in the discus (142-4) and third place in the shot put (44-7.5). Bischoff grabbed second place in the discus (141-10) and fourth place in the shot put (43-4.5).

Aiden Pullen earned second place in the 3,200 run with a personal best time of 10:12.25. Rotundo took second place in the triple jump with a leap of 39-9.5.

The Panther girls placed fifth at the Kalama meet Friday. Owens snagged second place in the 3,200 with a personal best time of 12:18.96. Rodgers snatched second place in the discus (105-0) and third place in the shot put (30-5).

The Washougal girls defeated Hockinson 75-70 and R.A. Long 83-61 Wednesday. Lintala took first place in the 800 (2:30.95), Owens won the 1,600 (5:45.96) and Meredith Collins claimed first place in the 3,200 (14:07.32). The Panthers also placed first in the 1,600 relay (5:02.58). Rodgers gained first place in the shot put (33-0.5) and Sharp snagged first place in the javelin (99-3).

The Washougal boys beat Hockinson 79-66 and R.A. Long 80-62. Michael Slikker took first place in the 200 (11.24), Jacob Bowen won the 110 hurdles (16.99) and Mischler earned first place in the 300 hurdles (44.36). Pullin clinched first place in the 3,200 (10:55.62). Kraft finished first in the shot put (45-5) and Bischoff grabbed first in the discus (139-2).