Washougal girls win hometown track festival

Several Washougal track and field athletes rose to the occasion at their hometown twilight meet Friday.

Hannah Swigert grabbed first place in the 800-meter run, with a time of 2 minutes, 26.36 seconds. Amelia Pullen claimed first place in the 3,200 (11:55.27) and second place in the 1,600, with a personal best time of 5:36.39. Anna Kallie finished first in the 200 dash (27.21) and Kiara Kallie took second place in the 100 hurdles, with a personal best time of 17.11.

After the Washougal girls won the 400 relay and took third place in the 800 relay, it all came down to four Panthers in the 1,600 relay.

“We were on our home field, the weather was great and we were all excited,” said senior Bekah Shilling. “We just wanted to leave it all out there on the track for Washougal.”

Shae Alder, Shilling, Alexis Maniscalco and Swigert earned third place. This gave the Washougal girls the two points they needed to get past W.F. West, of Chehalis, and win the Panther Invitational.

“I love the 4-by-4 because it’s the very last race. Let’s see what you have left,” Swigert said. “I’m very proud. It was my last home meet as a senior and we got the trophy.”

The Panther boys had some brilliant performances, but they came up short to Ridgefield and settled for second place.

“(Ridgefield) celebrated like they had just knocked off the king,” said Washougal head coach Dave Hajek. “Obviously, they know who the best team in the league has been for the last five years. They deserve it. They’re better than us right now. But in the future, I think that will change back in our favor.”

Kenny Kanthak clinched first place in the 110 and 300 hurdles, with times of 16.34 and 43.21 seconds. He also helped Ryan Davy, Kade Coons and Justin Snodgrass win the 400 relay with a season-best time of 44.6.

Tanner Lees soared to first place on the pole vault with a personal best leap of 12 feet, 6 inches. Nathan Tofell finished first in the javelin with a 156-foot throw.

Gabriel Dinnel grabbed second place in the boys 3,200 (9:54.67) and third place in the 1,600 (4:37.21). Snodgrass secured second place in the 200 (23.48), Austin McLoughlin took second place in the 400 (54.12), Troy Prince-Butterfield finished second in the 800 (2:01.62) and Davy earned third in the 100 (11.59).

Kiersten DeLaRocha claimed third place in the girls discus (92-11) and shot put (30-7.5). Gracie Dolan gained third place in the triple jump with a personal best leap of 32-7. Morgan Stinchfield notched third place in the high jump (4-8) and Shilling finished fifth in the pole vault (8-0).

“Our girls are kind of the surprise right now,” Hajek said. “Hopefully these next few weeks will keep getting better and better.”