Kitsap track stars ready to race past opponents

Bainbridge

Boys Track

Head coach: Andy Grimm

Key Returners: Senior Amare Clar and Juniors Yafei Shou, Jonas Michael

Outlook: Bainbridge returns its fastest runners and a couple of state placers in the pole vault. In addition, the Spartans return a strong core that should be able to give them a better result at state this season.

Schedule: Mar. 9, Logan Relays; Mar. 21 at Kingston; Mar. 28 vs. Bremerton/PA; Mar. 30, Kent-Meridian Invitational; Apr. 13, South Sound Classic; Apr. 17 at North Kitsap; Apr. 20, 34th GearUp Eason Invitational; Apr. 20, Lil’ Norway Invitational; Apr. 27, Shelton Invitational; May 2-4, Olympic League Championships; May 15-17, WCD 3 Championships; May 23-25, WIAA State Championships

Girls Track

Head coach: Andy Grimm

Key Returners: Seniors Claire Hungerford, Ella McRitchie and Junior Mairin O’ Brien

Outlook: The Spartans have one of the top runners in the state and pole vaulters in the country. In addition, their talent is spread across several events, making the girls team a really strong squad this year.

North Kitsap

Boys Track

Head coach: Dave Snyder

Key Returners: Seniors Logan Sloman, Owen Wilkinson and Matthew Fee

Outlook: North Kitsap finished in the middle of the pack at state last season. This season, most of their state competitors return for their senior campaign in multiple events. Therefore, North Kitsap has another shot at improving.

Schedule: Mar. 9, Logan Relays; Mar. 16, Seattle Academy Relays; Mar. 21 at Port Angeles; Mar. 23, Cuties Viking Relay Championships; Mar. 28 vs. Sequim; Mar. 30, Liberty Invite; Apr. 11 at Bremerton; Apr. 13, South Sound Classic; Apr. 17 vs. Bainbridge; Apr. 20, Lil’ Norway Invitational; Apr. 27, Sunny and 70! Invitational; May 2-4 Olympic League; May 23-25, WIAA State Championships

Girls Track

Head coach: Dave Snyder

Key Returners: Senior Salix Wartes-Kahl, Junior Julie Castillejo and Sophomore Bella Johnston

Outlook: North Kitsap finished top 20 in state last season with only a handful of girls competing. Luckily, the Vikings did not see many girls graduate and can easily repeat their success.

Kingston

Boys Track

Head coach: Spencer Hunt

Key Returners: Senior Lucas Lenz

Outlook: Kingston is coming off a great track season last year and cross-country season this year too. The Bucs may not have much talent in the throwing competitions but should be going for titles in running, including long-distance.

Schedule: Mar. 9, Logan Relays; Mar. 16, Rainier Icebreaker; Mar. 21 vs. Olympic/Bainbridge; Mar. 28 vs. North Mason; Mar. 30, Mt. Tahoma Track Festival; Apr. 11 at Bremerton; Apr. 13, South Sound Classic; Apr. 18 at Port Angeles; Apr. 20, Lil’ Norway Invitational; Apr. 26, Nike/Jesuit Relays; May 2-4, Olympic League Championships; May 23-25, WIAA State Championships

Girls Track

Head coach: Karla Manuguid

Key Returners: Senior Leighton Menge and Sophomore Taizah Franklin

Outlook: The girls team will have a few solid relay teams and sprinters this season. Similar to the boys, the girls will struggle in the throwing events. However, Kingston should send a few girls back to state.

South Kitsap

Boys Track

Head coach: Ed Santos

Key Returners: Junior Jefferson Smith

Outlook: The boys had three athletes make it to state last season but two graduated. Therefore, the depth on the boys side will be small again. However, Smith can make a run for a top-ten finish this season.

Schedule: Mar. 14, Peninsula Jamboree; Mar. 16, Bear Relays; Mar. 30, Kent-Meridian Invitational; Apr. 11 at Bellarmine; Apr. 13, South Sound Classic; Apr. 24 vs. Olympia; Apr. 26, Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays; May 2 at Puyallup; May 3, The Liberty Twilight; May 9-11, SPSL Championships; May 23-25, WIAA State Championships

Girls Track

Head coach: LaRae Madison

Key Returners: Senior Grace Degarimore and Junior Lauren Laws

Outlook: The Wolves return one of the best throwers and long-distance runners in 4A. Plus, the squad added a few younger athletes who can help boost the squad once the postseason arrives.

Bremerton

Boys Track

Head coach: Daniel McInnis and Jaclyn Renner

Key Returners: Senior Ivan Picazo and Junior Isaiah Cadengo

Outlook: Bremerton’s top runner graduated. However, the Knights return some of the best throwers in the state. Bremerton should be a solid all-around team.

Schedule: Mar. 9, Logan Relays; Mar. 23, Curtis Viking Relay Championships; Mar. 28 at Bainbridge; Mar. 30, Kent-Meridian Invitational; Apr. 11 vs. North Kitsap/Kingston; Apr. 13, South Sound Classic; Apr. 20, Lil’ Norway Invitational; Apr. 27, 64th Shelton Invitational; May 2-4, Olympic League Championships; May 23-25 WIAA State Championship

Girls Track

Head coach: Daniel McInnis and Jaclyn Renner

Key Returners: Senior Salleen Mattivi and juniors Rylee Wheaon and Cecilia Powell

Outlook: The girls team has a young core that went to state, including a relay team full of freshmen. In addition, the talent is spread throughout multiple events. The Knights squad should be able to send a few girls to state again.

Olympic

Boys Track

Head coach: Margo Peterson

Key Returners: Junior Samuel Bonsell

Outlook: Olympic struggled once the postseason arrived, sending a handful of athletes to districts and one to state. In addition, many of their top athletes graduated. Therefore, Olympic may struggle again.

Schedule: Mar. 9, Logan Relays; Mar. 28 at North Kitsap; Apr. 11, Olympic League Track; Apr. 13, Forks Lions Club Invitational; Apr. 27, 64th Shelton Invitational; May 2-4, Olympic League Championships; May 23-25, WIAA State Championships

Girls Track

Head coach: Margo Peterson

Key Returners: Senior Mia Talarico and Junior Megan Krell

Outlook: The girls teams had several seniors graduate last season. Therefore, Olympic will need to find new competitors for the relay teams and several events to remain competitive.

Central Kitsap

Boys Track

Head coach: Neal Gaulden

Key Returners: Seniors Blake Reynolds and Jackson Moyer

Outlook: The Cougars return several top runners and competitors in field events. After a successful season last year, the Cougars should be able to repeat.

Schedule: Mar. 14, Peninsula Jamboree; Mar. 22, vs. Gig Harbor/Peninsula; Mar. 23, Curtis Viking Relays; Mar. 29, vs. Yelm/Gig Harbor; Mar. 30, Mt. Tahoma Track Festival; Apr. 5-6, 2024 Arcadia Invitational; Apr. 10, vs. Timberline/North Thurston; Apr. 13, South Sound Classic; Apr. 16 at River Ridge; Apr. 20, 34th GearUp Eason Invitational; Apr. 20, Lil’ Norway Invitational; Apr. 24 at North Thurston; Apr. 26, Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays; Apr. 27, Shelton Invitational; May 7, SSC League Championships; May 15-17, WCD Championships; May 23-25, WIAA State Championships

Girls Track

Head coach: Neal Gaulden

Key Returners: Seniors Camryn Bishoff and Savannah Fourier and junior Taylor Palmer

Outlook: The Cougars are loaded in most of the running events and have a handful of competitors in the field events too. Therefore, the Cougars will be a solid team when the postseason arrives.

Klahowya

Boys Track

Head coach: James Felty

Key Returners: Senior Deacon Wintch and Sophomore Aiden Peacock

Outlook: Klahowya had two boys barely reach state last season. However, the two of them should be higher in the rankings. The Eagles will need to find some competitors in the field events to become a stronger quad.

Schedule: Mar. 12 at Klahowya; Mar. 19 at Charles Wright Academy; Mar. 23, Curtis Viking Relays; Apr. 9 at Port Townsend; Apr. 13, Forks Lion Club Invitational; Apr. 20, Lil’ Norway Invitational; Apr. 25 at Klahowya; Apr. 27, Bill Harris Invitational; Apr. 27, Shelton Invite; May 18, WCD; May 23-25, WIAA State Championships

Girls Track

Head coach: James Felty

Key Returners: Seniors Maggie Keenan and Audrey Younger, and Junior Natalie Oathout

Outlook: Klahowya returns a handful of district track stars and a few state placers. Although the Eagles squad is ambler, they will be a decent squad this season.