WP Track: Coach Hopes for Team Victories on Boys' Side; Adams should excel in girls' distance events

WAITSBURG – Waitsburg-Prescott track coach Jeff Bartlow is enthusiastic about his boys' track team this year, and yet disappointed with the girls' turnout.

"We only have four girls out, which is disappointing," he said, "but they'll get some great experience in individual events."

The one veteran returning girl is sophomore distance runner Emily Adams. "Emily's been working out all winter and she's in great shape," Bartlow said. "She should do well in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 (meters). She also wants to do triple jump."

Adams is an experienced cross country runner and knows how to prepare for meets, Bartlow says.

Other girls competing this year for WP will be Caitlyn Jones and Stephanie Nerf from Waitsburg, and Perla Xolio, from Prescott.

The story on the boys' side is much different, with WP starting the season with a team of 34.

"I really think we'll be in the running to win some meets as a team," Bartlow said. "It'll be interesting to see how we do against Asotin."

According to Bartlow, WP had a string of six straight SE 2B District 9 boys' league championships broken by Asotin in 2013. The Panthers have built a dominant team and won the league the last two years.

WP's two top point scorers from last year are returning: Owen Lanning and Kobie Brown.

Lanning is a hurdles specialist, and will compete in both the 110 and 300 meter events. He also plans to compete in long jump and triple jump.

Brown is a high jumper and sprinter. Bartlow expects him to compete in the 100 meter sprint, the 110 hurdles and the 4x100 relay.

Despite their numbers and experience, the Cardinals are a very young team. Besides Lanning and Brown, their only other seniors are Tyler Shafer and Paulo Martinez.

Bartlow expects to have strong relay teams in the boys' 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 events. Potential relay runners include Lanning, Brown, Shafer, Travis Crockett, Resean Crockett and Landon Callas, who is also expected to be a strong distance runner.

Bartlow's two assistant coaches this year are Joanna Lanning, who is working with middle and long distance runners, and Lanny Adams, who oversees the field events. Bartlow works with the sprinters.

The Cardinals' first meet is Thursday in Pendleton. They don't host any meets, but will take part in the District 9 meet in Dayton on April 1.