Several athletes have the talent to make it through an always tough league.

The Bainbridge track team is looking to send more athletes to state than ever, and head coach Andy Grimm is excited about their chances.

“There’s definitely some kids capable of performing for sure at a (top) Metro League level and definitely districts,” he said. “(All) it comes down to, if you can get out (of the district meet) you have a shot at State.”

Last year, many athletes started out with state-quality times, but because of the high level of talent in the Metro and KingCo leagues which Bainbridge competes with directly and at the Sea-King district meet, only a few made it to Star Track.

The girls 4×400 relay team were the only team to medal as they finished fourth.

This season, several performers have a shot at getting to the big meet.

They include senior Quinton Agosta, who participates in the triple jump, the high jump, the discus and the relays.

Agosta, who was the starting quarterback for the football team, made it to State in 2005 in the discus as a sophomore.

He’s ranked second in the triple jump with a mark of 41 feet, two inches and second in the discus with a mark of 125 feet, .05 inches.

“Quinton always has a shot of making it,” Grimm said. “He’s athletic enough in whatever he chooses to do. We can put him anywhere event wise where he can set some great marks.”

Also looking to return is senior Bevan Taylor, who made it to state in the 1600 meter run and is a two-time state qualifier in cross country.

He’s ranked second in the Metro League in the 1600 with a time of 4:27.9 and ranked first in Metro and in 3A in the 4×400 relay with his teammates Austin Hallett, Patrick Wauters and Greg Nance with a time of 3:28.1.

“Our relays have a real good shot of getting out,” said Grimm. “The boys 4×400 has a real good shot at being in the state final.

“They’re very balanced, which is unusual. They’re all about the same, where (most teams) have a gunner who can come in and run a 48 or 49 (second leg.)”

The one that many feel is the best chance of making it to state is junior Cheyne Clark.

A standout in water polo and diving, Clark holds the top mark in Metro and 3A in the pole vault with his mark of 14 feet, three inches.

The vault also broke the school record of 13 feet, nine inches.

“Cheyne’s vault was pretty phenomenal,” Grimm said. “You have to look at him getting out (of districts) in pole vault.”

On the girls’ side, the relay teams, long a strength at Bainbridge, will have to deal without Zena Hemmen, who is still recovering from a torn ACL.

Seniors Callie McKenzie and Maren Swanson are back to take part in the 4×400 relay.

They’re currently third in Metro with a time of 4:30.5 as two new runners in freshman in Amy Gex and Sylvia Stellmacher have joined the relay team.

Also back to compete in the relays are seniors Morgan Nottingham, juniors Elizabeth Brackett and Molly O’Keefe, sophomore Madeline Sheldon and freshman Madison Brachvogel.

“Part of what we’re scouting out right now with that crew is where they’re going to be most competitive,” Grimm said. “With the addition of Skyline (to 3A KingCo), they’ll be in the top four in the 4×400 relays.

“So right now, we’re looking at what’s our best opportunity for the 4×100, 4×200 and 4×400. That’s what the regular season is for.”

Also in the mix are senior Tess Sadowsky, who will compete in the 100 and 300 hurdles, junior Theresa Johansen, who will compete in the throwing events and junior Emily Farrar, who will compete in the distance events.

Johansen is fifth in Metro in the discus with a throw of 85 feet, 9.5 inches and sixth in the shot put with a throw of 30 feet, one inch.

Swanson is second with a throw of 95 feet, seven inches.

Farrar is third in the 1600 with a time of 5:26.4 and third in the 3200 with a time of 11:52.

With talent on both teams, there are high hopes for many kids to make it to Star Track, but Grimm won’t make plans for Pasco just yet.

“Even those (favorites) aren’t locks,” he said.