Young Panthers are running free

The Washougal Panthers are running around the track in record times. "I'm so proud of my team, especially the sophomores," said senior Hannah Swigert. "The constant PRs. It's normal now. They're going to go far. I'm sad that I'm a senior." Back at the John Ingram Twilight for the first time in five years, the Washougal boys team finished in second place. Ridgefield won the 11-team meet by four points. Sophomore Gabriel Dinnel grabbed first place for the Panthers in the 3,200-meter run with a personal best time of 9 minutes, 52.8 seconds. Senior Aiden Pullen followed in second place with a season best time of 10:02.26. "It's fun running with your teammate and switching off each lap," Dinnel said. "It's just like cross country." Only on a bigger stage under the lights. Sophomore Troy-Prince Butterfield earned first place in the boys 800 with a personal best time of 2:00.10. "I definitely went out harder and gave everything I had," he said. "That 2-flat time, I've been chasing since last year. Just point-10 off, but I'm right there." Sophomore Kenny Kanthak clinched first place in the 110 hurdles with a personal best time of 16.34 seconds. He also took third in the 300 hurdles with a personal best time of 43.25. "Through practice, we're trying to 3-step them," Kanthak said of the hurdles. "With all that noise from the crowd, I started to get a little choppy, but I pulled it together." He was proud to see so many Panthers on the podium. "Coming to big meets like this makes everybody work harder," Kanthak said. "It's not just a duel meet or a preseason meet. It's a big deal, like districts will be. And we all want to get to state." Junior Nathan Tofell notched first place in the javelin with a throw of 149 feet, 10 inches. "It takes a lot of dedication. You have to be out in the field every day," Tofell said. "You can't just huck it out there. There's a lot of little fundamentals you have to focus on." Ryan Davy took third place in the 110 hurdles (16.44) and fourth place in the 100 dash (11.22). Justin Snodgrass grabbed second place in the 200 (23.65). Tanner Lees took second place in the pole vault (12 feet) and Kade Coons claimed fourth place in the long jump (18-9). The Washougal girls track and field team finished in fourth place at the John Ingram Twilight. Swigert flipped on the switch in the 800 and won the race with a time of 2:29.29. "Everyone says I have this sprinting spark button," she said. "Once I get it, I'll be able to pass people. I was just waiting for the right moment to kick it in." Freshman Morgan Stinchfield notched first place in the high jump with a personal best leap of 5 feet. Sophomore Ameila Pullen placed second in the 3,200 (11:34.42) and fifth in the 1,600 (5:49.24). Anna Kallie took third place in the 200 (27.2), and Kiara Kallie followed in fifth place (28.02). Kiersten DeLaRocha finished fourth in the shot put (30-4) and discus (78-9). The Washougal girls team took second place at the Al McKee Invitational Saturday, in Stevenson. Gracie Dolan leaped a personal best 32-6 in the triple jump to win the event. She also took second place in the long jump with a personal best 14-10. Bekah Shilling secured second place in the 400 (1:08.33) and third place in the pole vault (7 feet). Shilling, Shae Alder, Shaela Ausmus and Grace Graham earned second place in the 800 relay (2:03.09). Annabelle Palmer placed second in the 3,200 (13:50.9). Keylei Berry claimed second place in the high jump (4-8). Laura Dills claimed fourth place in the 100 (20.03) and 300 (56.95) hurdles. Brooklyn Bausch grabbed fifth in the 1,600 (6:12.05). Jackson Keyser won the 3,200 for the Panther boys in 10:48.49. He also took sixth place in the 1,600 (5:02.65). Judson Mansfield notched third place in the 300 hurdles (47.23), Nathan Beaver finished fourth in the discus (109-6.5) and Scott Lees claimed fifth in the pole vault (10-0). Washougal competes at the Kalama Invitational Friday, April 21. Events begin at 4 p.m. The Panther Twilight track and field meet takes place Friday, April 28, at Fishback Stadium. Events start at 3:30 p.m.

Related Stories