What’s likely to be one of the best track meets at Spartan Stadium in recent memory is slated for May 2 as the BHS girls have a late season matchup with Rainier Beach (last year’s state 3A champ) and Holy Names (3A champs the three years prior to that).
The Spartans are no slouches themselves, having won their first-ever district title last spring. They return this year with most of the athletes who made it happen.
The boys’ meet that day isn’t bad either, with last year’s state runner-up O’Dea and Beach’s outstanding sprint crew.
And that’s only half the action that afternoon, as another meet with three other schools will be conducted concurrently.
Welcome to the world of Metro League track and field, as economics and the relative lack of suitable track venues – Bainbridge is just one of four – dictate a six-week series of double-decker three-way and four-way meets.
The first of those – the season opener for Spartan tracksters – is a week from tomorrow at Nathan Hale, with the first home meet on March 28.
“We should be in the hunt every time, even in a multiple school setting,” coach Andy Grimm said. “Our goal is for the kids to improve their times and distances every week.”
On paper, it may now appear to be easier to qualify for Star Track – the state track and field championships – as District 2 is likely to have five qualifying spots rather than the previous two (when Bainbridge was in District 3). But the Spartans will be competing in what is probably the state’s strongest district, as the Beach and Bellevue girls went No. 1 and No. 2 at state last year, while O’Dea and Skyline were second and third in boys.
Girls track
“The seniors are our strength,” Grimm said of the girls’ team, which consists of about 30 members.
“Senior strength” begins with Becca Ivey, who nearly became only the second Spartan to win an individual state title last year. She finished a very close second in the 800, then demolished her school record in that event by clocking 2:14.9 in the Oregon-Washington Meet of Champions a week later.
Versatile Crisma Biggs can compete in the sprints, long jump and possibly hurdles, while Sarah Grue is dropping down from the 1600 to concentrate on the middle distances and improve her speed.
Christy Lubovich and Audrey Bennett are both experienced distance runners, and Erin Ebert is the team’s top thrower.
Ivey, Biggs, Grue and sophomore Veronica Ivey hope to dethrone Bellevue in the 4×400 relay. The Spartans finished third last year at Star Track as they set a school record of 4:05.14, more than five seconds under the previous standard.
Juniors likely to contribute are Laura Bartunek, who has made two trips to State in the high jump, distance runner Lizzie Corbin, sprinter Carlie Miller and jumper Kara Somsen.
State cross-country competitor Rachel Belt, Veronica Ivey and sprinter Sushi Speidel head the sophomores.
Grimm expects freshman sprinter Michelle Baggett to have an immediate impact.
Among the rest of the 30 girls – many of whom are still experimenting with different events – are senior Lily Brewis-Condon and sophomores Rebecca Abell, Kylie Dardis, Katie Houck, Amy Paeth and Lydia Patterson.
A large freshman turnout consists of Jenine Adam, Morgan Bays, Brittany Belt, Lauren Benjamin, Jessica Hemingway, Joanne Lonseth, Sonia McBride, Sarah Sleder, Melinda Tonti-Bunn and Amy Wiggins.
Boys track
Junior Tim Freeman heads the boys, who number about 40 strong this year. He placed high in several winter indoor meets and seems likely to break 50 seconds in the 400. He already has a 2:01 800 to his credit, and will switch between the two events this year.
Sprinter Luke Speidel is the team’s top senior.
Other juniors likely to score points include jumpers Seth Jacobson and Liam Corey, the latter returning after missing last season due to injury, and Christian Lucier, who’ll join Freeman on the highly regarded 4×400 relay and also do the 400/800 combination. Michael Wauters has shifted his emphasis from the 800 to the throws and jumps, and may also do the 300 hurdles. Joe Tarbill will run the 1600 and 3200.
Nolan Amy, who’s already run under 4:50 in the 1600, is one of a talented group of sophomores. Others are fellow distance runner Jason Rowley, sprinter Eddie Pasquale, pole vault district qualifier Chad Weldy, Matt Draper, a member of the 4×400 relay and a 300-meter hurdler, and Matt Wauters, the team’s best thrower.
Angelo Ritualo, recovering from an ankle injury incurred during wrestling season, is probably the leading freshman.
“We need to figure out how to best use him,” said Grimm.
As with the girls, many of boys are still experimenting to discover their best events.
They include seniors Clayton Hallum, Michael Kushler, Erik Swanson, Nate Winget and Andrew Yang and juniors Jake Berman, Brian Burns, Jack Coombes, Hunter Hadfield, Liam Maher, Nick McCallum, Tony Mirkovich and Ian Roberds.
Sophomores are Matt Boss, Nick Breslin, Dylan Carter, Travis Gallup, Andrew Hoover, Derek Houston, Chris Lyons and Carl Webster.
Freshmen include Andrew Bracken, Sam Calhoun, Thomas Curran, Trubee Davison, Peter Lucier and Patrick Miller.
Grimm’s assistants are sprint and hurdles coach Amanda Ward and distance coach Dean Tarbill. Volunteers are Charisa Moore – who works with the jumpers – and middle distance specialist Pat Logan.
