Kentlake this week

Our competitive season is finally under way! Outside of the weather, which turned cold on us, our first meet was successful in many ways. Our kids competed like they've been anxious to go out and show people what they can do, which is always good to see. For a first meet of the season, there were some very impressive marks and some improvements already over last year.


One of the most impressive marks turned in last week was by our current school record holder, Sophomore Lindsey Moore in the High Jump. Lindsey bettered her 2006 PR and school record of 5'5" by jumping 5'6" (which was the height that won the state meet last year). On our stats website it shows that Lindsey is tied for the highest mark entered in the nation. Quite impressive for a first meet!


Lindsey's jump into the record books was joined by Senior Jillian Jainga who cleared 6'6" in the Pole Vault (tied for 8th best all time), and Freshmen Jennifer Weston (set the Freshman Record for shot put with a throw of 28'0") and Clarisa Hammer (set the Freshman record in the 300 hurdles at54.6 and tied another in the 100 hurdles at 19.8). Very impressive for a first meet!


These impressive performances though were not enough to beat a tough TJ team, led by state Cross Country champion Kenna Patrick, who showed us all why she won the past fall. The TJ girls won by a score of 95-45.


The boys team set the bar for success with a solid 105-31 victory over TJ. The boys squad won every event but two, and had solid depth throughout the events to establish our team as one to be reckoned with in the SPSL. One of the most remarkable things about this meet for the boys were the number of "sweeps" Kentwood was able to pull off in the victory. In the 200m, the 3200m, 300 hurdles, and Shot Put, the boys won "swept" or took first, second and third in those events. This is a notable testament to our strength and our depth.


Some of the notable marks from the boys meet were turned in by Demetrius Bronson, who won both the 100m (11.4) and the 200m (23.3). Other event winners were Junior Gauldin in the 400m (53.7), Chris Selvar in the 800m (2:04.1), Eric Brill in the 1600m (4:42.3), Michael Chinchar in the 3200m (9:37.5), Andrew Fung in the 110HH (15.7), Steven Warner in the 300H (42.0), Evan Porter in the Shot Put (39'2"), Adam Smith in the Discus (107'4"), Cody Fishel in the High Jump (6'0"), and Nikiel Taylor in the Triple Jump (38'9"). The boys 4x100m Relay (Taylor, Bryan Carlson, Damion Ricks & Bronson) won (44.8) along with the boys 4x400m Relay (Selvar, Chinchar, Warner & Gauldin) in 3:39.2. (meet results can be found here, and all times have been converted from FAT to hand times)

Senior Danny Smith also had a great meet, setting a PR in the 3200 and jumping into the Top 10 list with his time of 10:29.4.



From a coaches perspective, one of the most exciting things about this meet was how well our athletes were supporting each other. If you were able to go to the meet, it was especially evident in the 4x4 races, with perhaps the loudest applause being for our "throwers 4x4" and was thrilling to watch. As a coach it gives me a great amount of pride to see all of our kids support each other like that.



This week our opponents are the Kentlake Falcons. Kentlake's boys have several solid athletes, especially in their distance and jumps. Their girls return a number of solid marks in almost every event, so as is the case in every SPSL meet, there should be a number of fun competitions to watch.



Hopefully, the rain will give us a break on Thursday and we will have another great meet to report on next week!


Coach Roche