Estes, Thompkins, Potter Obtain Firsts

CLARKSTON - Despite many WP athletes being absent because of other activities last Wednesday, the WP Cardinal track and field teams placed in the top three at the District 9 meet in Clarkston.

"Our kids performed at a high level," head coach Jeff Bartlow said. "I was proud of them."

The WP men's team dominated the competition once again and placed first overall. The women's team placed third. The meet was large, drawing athletes from DeSales, Asotin, Garfield-Palouse/Colton, St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse- Washtucna, WWVA, TOR and Dayton.

And for Bartlow, one of his high points of the day was watching his veteran girls show the competition how it's done.

"Our two senior girls are picking it up big time," Bartlow said of Kristin Potter and Ronnie Hulce.

Potter placed first in both the 200-meter race and the 400-meter race and ran personal bests in the process. Potter also placed third in the 100-meter race.

"Hulce is working very hard and is picking things up in her hurdles," Bartlow added.

Hulce placed first in the 300-meter hurdles, second in the 100-meter hurdles and first in the triple jump.

Emily Skay, who has been showing her potential in recent meets, picked up her time in the 800-meter race, placing fifth, Bartlow said.

Both Amanda Cook and Beka Adams threw personal bests in the discus, placing fifth and tenth, respectively. Brittany Lute placed fourth in the shot put.

For the women jumpers, Maddy Witt placed sixth in the long jump and also came in right behind Hulce in the triple jump with second place.

Bartlow said for the men's team, Eshom Estes, Ben Shafer and Brendan Donovan are "all shining big time."

Estes placed first in the shot put, first in the discus and second in javelin. Shafer placed second in the shot put and fifth in the discus. Donovan placed fourth in the shot put, fifth in the 100-meter race and fourth in the high jump. Donovan and Shafer both had personal bests last Wednesday and Donovan's first in the 100-meters was a "huge surprise."

"We are seeing lots of progress with all of our throwers," Bartlow said.

Veteran sprinter James Thompkins again had a great day on the track, placing first in the 100-meter race, 200-meter race and the 400-meter race. Bartlow highlighted Kevin Glover, who Bartlow describes as a "late bloomer" and placed fifth in the 400-meter race.

Roy Ebong also ran a personal best and placed second in the 800-meter race.