WP, Dayton Tracksters Qualify For Districts

WALLA WALLA - The Dayton and Waitsburg- Prescott track and field teams had some surprising and great successes at subdistricts last Wednesday at Martin Field in Walla Walla.

The top eight finishers in each event will be on their way to compete in districts on May 17 and 18 in Clarkston.

For being such a small team, the Bulldogs had a great showing at subdistricts and will be sending athletes to districts in a variety of events.

Veteran trackster Adam Strohbehn had a great day last Wednesday. He qualified for districts by placing fourth in the 200-meter race, second in the high jump and third in the long jump. His success in the high jump was closely followed by Justin and Brandon Clark who tied for fourth in that event and will also be going to districts. Brandon Clark also placed sixth in the long jump.

For the Bulldog women, Courtney Fuller qualified for districts by placing sixth in the 100-meter race and fifth in the long jump.

Kaitlin Andrews will also be heading to districts after Wednesday's fourthplace finish in the javelin.

The large Cardinal team was able to advance many athletes to districts last Wednesday.

"We had a great effort out of the kids on Wednesday and qualified a number of kids for districts," said head coach Jeff Bartlow.

WP's Stacia Deal had the surprise performance of the day, Bartlow said, qualifying in both the 100- and 200-meter races. She finished eighth and sixth, respectively.

Veteran hurdler Ronnie Hulce also had a phenomenal day, placing first in the 300-meter hurdles, second in the 100-meter hurdles and first in the high jump.

Another veteran, Kristin Potter, placed third in the 100-meter race and first in the 200-meter race, quali- fying for districts in both events.

Newcomer Emily Skay placed third in the 400-meter race and sixth in the 800-meter race.

"She has been working extremely hard and we are proud of her," Bartlow said of Skay.

Maddy Witt qualified in both the long jump and triple jump, placing seventh and fourth, respectively.

Hannah Helms had some strong throws in the shot put and also qualified in the high hurdles, placing fifth and seventh. Amanda Cook qualified in the discus and Brittany Lute also qualified in the shot put.

For the Cardinal men on Wednesday, Bartlow said he saw huge gains by his athletes.

"(There were) big improvements and marks took place all day on the boys side," Bartlow said. "Logan Wanous and Logan Dozier both had banner days for the Cardinals."

Logan Dozier got personal records on all three of his events - the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles and triple jump. Logan Wanous rocked the sprints, qualifying for the 100-, 200- and 400-meter races.

James Thompkins got four first-place finishes and is in prime position now to be in all four sprint events at state, Bartlow said. He could even be on the podium in all four events, Bartlow added.

Roy Ebong had his best day in the 800, placing second, and is now in a spot to possibly go to state.

Middle-distance runner Seth Deal garnered two second-place finishes in the 1,600 meters and the 3,200 meters, both to the same athlete from Asotin, Bartlow said.

"Seth ran a really gutty 1,600 and almost got (the Asotin runner) at the end of what I considered the best race of the day to watch," Bartlow added. "It was a good one. Seth got a personal record by about 7 seconds and so it was a good day for him."

Billy Brown led the Cardinal men in the hurdles, placing first in the 110-meter hurdles and second in the 300-meter hurdles.

Dozier placed third in the 110-meter hurdles and fourth in the 300-meter hurdles.

For the throwers, veteran Eshom Estes was leading the way for the Cardinals. He placed first in the shot put, seventh in the discus and first in the javelin.

Ben Shafer placed second in the shot put and surpassed Estes in the discus and placed fourth.

Jacob Cantuna placed second in the javelin and will likely advance to state this year, Bartlow said.

For the jumpers, Brendan Donovan led the Cards in the high jump placing sixth. Owen Lanning placed seventh in the long jump and sixth in the triple jump.

Logan Dozier performed a bit better in the triple jump and placed fifth.

"Next week, those points will be needed big time as we try to claim our sixthconsecutive district title and seventh (title) in eight years," Bartlow said.