greatest in the history of the school, and hopefully will be seen as a turning point in the program where Kentwood Track and Field went from a school with a few good athletes to a school with a great track program. Many other teams here at Kentwood have enjoyed a long history of success and I believe we're building that same thing with the track program. This school undoubtedly has the potential to be one of the great programs in the state, as our Football, Basketball, Volleyball and other teams have risen to the level of. Looking back at the state meet from last May, I saw some incredible performances, and some great reasons to be very excited for this upcoming season. A couple of our
seniors gave their last performance on the high school stage and are already off to great things in college. The greatest distance runner in Kentwood history, Michael Chinchar, finished his high school career by medaling in both the 1600 and 3200 races. Michael did not have his best races, but he leaves the program as the school record holder in both of those events and has set a standard so high that it will take an extremely special athlete to even come close to his level. Michael did have some very successful summer meets too; highlighted by his placing 2nd in the 1500m at the USA Junior Nationals meet in a time of 3:51. Michael is now running for the prestigious University of Arkansas Track and Cross Country teams. He will be missed and very well rememberd.
seniors gave their last performance on the high school stage and are already off to great things in college. The greatest distance runner in Kentwood history, Michael Chinchar, finished his high school career by medaling in both the 1600 and 3200 races. Michael did not have his best races, but he leaves the program as the school record holder in both of those events and has set a standard so high that it will take an extremely special athlete to even come close to his level. Michael did have some very successful summer meets too; highlighted by his placing 2nd in the 1500m at the USA Junior Nationals meet in a time of 3:51. Michael is now running for the prestigious University of Arkansas Track and Cross Country teams. He will be missed and very well rememberd.Another senior left us with many memories and a gutsy performance in his last high school race. Eric Brill qualified for the 3200m race, and race the best race of his high school career, running a 9:26.44 and barely missing a state medal in his only state appearance in the sport. Eric was one of the hardest working distance runners Kentwood has ever seen; his jovial attitude and fun-loving spirit will be missed. Eric continues his Track and Cross Country Career at Western Washington University, where he will only continue to improve as a runner.
Of the 25 points the boys team scored at last May's state meet, 22 of them are returning to the team this coming year. Of the most surprising was the performance by Junior Chris Selvar. 
Chris entered the season with a state appearance under his belt from his Sophomore season in the 800, but had failed to qualify for the finals. Throughout the 2007 season, Chris saw steady improvement, but after early season losses to teammate Michael Chinchar and at the Tacoma Invite, Chris turned a corner and from the Bellevue Invite on, Chris ran under 1:56 in the 800 6 times. At the state meet, Chris won his preliminary heat easily which set up a showdown with the athlete Chris had to out-kick the week before, Charlie Williams from Gig Harbor. Altough Chris beat him at the District meet, Charlie had the fastest time in state for 4A in the 800 and was considered by many to be the favorite in the event. Despite this, Chris was determined that he could and would beat Williams. After one lap. Chris was in great shape, sitting on the hip pockets of the race leaders. With 200 meters to go Williams pushed to the head of the group and Chris went with him. Down the homestretch it was neck and neck, but Chris took the inside track and out-kicked Williams one more time... this time to become a state champion in a time of 1:54.36. It wil undoubtedly be one of the most memorable races in Kentwood Track and Field history.
Chris entered the season with a state appearance under his belt from his Sophomore season in the 800, but had failed to qualify for the finals. Throughout the 2007 season, Chris saw steady improvement, but after early season losses to teammate Michael Chinchar and at the Tacoma Invite, Chris turned a corner and from the Bellevue Invite on, Chris ran under 1:56 in the 800 6 times. At the state meet, Chris won his preliminary heat easily which set up a showdown with the athlete Chris had to out-kick the week before, Charlie Williams from Gig Harbor. Altough Chris beat him at the District meet, Charlie had the fastest time in state for 4A in the 800 and was considered by many to be the favorite in the event. Despite this, Chris was determined that he could and would beat Williams. After one lap. Chris was in great shape, sitting on the hip pockets of the race leaders. With 200 meters to go Williams pushed to the head of the group and Chris went with him. Down the homestretch it was neck and neck, but Chris took the inside track and out-kicked Williams one more time... this time to become a state champion in a time of 1:54.36. It wil undoubtedly be one of the most memorable races in Kentwood Track and Field history.There were many other shining performers during the meet too, notably Sophomore Steven Warner. This was Steven's first state track meet, but he did not waste any time in taking care of business. Although he placed 5th in his heat of the 100 High Hurdles, he still qualified because of his time (14.84, #2 all-time at Kentwood), and then made good on his finals apearance with a surprising 4th place finish and a time of 15.00. He was not satisfied with just one state medal though. After qualifying in the prelims of the 300m Hurdles with a time of 39.68, Steven also took home an 8th place medal in that event. Just when you think he'd be satisfied, he was also on the boys 4x4 relay that placed. That gave Steven 3 state medals and a total of 6 races in rougly 30 hours in the hot Pasco sun. Not a bad way to end your Sophomore year!
Another bright spot for the boys team was the performances of both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Both groups came in with hopes of medaling, especially the 4x4 , who had visions of winning the whole thing. Although neither team came away state champions, both did realize their goals of medaling and set the stage for what could be their greatest accomplishment year. The 4x1 would have been thought of by many to be potentially a dark horse for a medal since we did not qualify any athletes in the 100, 200 or 400 open events, but to the surprise of some they not only qualified for the finals, but took 7th in a time of 43.45. On that team, every single member is returning for the 2008 season. The boys 4x4 came into the meet with high aspirations, and rightly so. The team was undefeated all throughout the postseason to that point, and had defeated some very high calibur teams along the way. 
The team had already set the school record and they were hoping for that again and then some when they arrived in Pasco. The prelim race went very well considering that the team was 2nd in their heat and re-smashed their own record with a time of 3:21.93, but the bad news was that four teams from the other heat had run a faster time, setting the stage for a great finals race. The finals ultimately went well, but not as well as hoped and the team finished in a time of 3:23.40 and 5th place. Considering the circumstances of the meet, it was still a very admirable accomplishment and one will continually be proud of. At that point the collective members of the team had run 12 races in hot weather, and the guys were running on all they had left. Like the boys 4x1, each member of the team (Demitrius Bronson, Devin St. Clair, Steven Warner and Chris Selvar) are returning for the 2008 season and they have served notice that they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
The team had already set the school record and they were hoping for that again and then some when they arrived in Pasco. The prelim race went very well considering that the team was 2nd in their heat and re-smashed their own record with a time of 3:21.93, but the bad news was that four teams from the other heat had run a faster time, setting the stage for a great finals race. The finals ultimately went well, but not as well as hoped and the team finished in a time of 3:23.40 and 5th place. Considering the circumstances of the meet, it was still a very admirable accomplishment and one will continually be proud of. At that point the collective members of the team had run 12 races in hot weather, and the guys were running on all they had left. Like the boys 4x1, each member of the team (Demitrius Bronson, Devin St. Clair, Steven Warner and Chris Selvar) are returning for the 2008 season and they have served notice that they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.Other athletes to compete at the state meet this past may were Sophomore Cody Fishel, who cleared 6'0" in his first state appearance in the High Jump; Sophomore Lindsey Moore who jumped 5'2" in her return to state and threw the Javelin 111'1", just barely missing out on finals. Our last state competitor was Freshman Dana Wareham, who ran well in her time of 60.34, but missed out on the finals in the 400 meters.
The upcoming season holds unlimited promise, not just because of the returning state athletes, but the many others waiting in the wings. There are many Freshmen coming in that will be able to contribute to the program right away and other athletes that have spent many hours lifting and running in preparation for the 2008 season. 2007 was a great season, but 2008 has the potential to be every bit as good if not better. To my athletes out there, remember this: you begin building your success this spring right now! Lets keep building what we began! Go Conks!
Coach Roche
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