Coaches Expect Strong Performances from Waitsburg Track Athletes

WAITSBURG – Coach Jeff Bartlow says he is very optimistic about the strong performances he expects from his track and field athletes this year.

"We should have a great team this year," he said. "I expect to win some meets, and to send a lot of these kids to state."

As of this writing, the Waitsburg track roster includes 21 boys and five girls. The team includes one athlete each from Prescott and Jubilee Academy – both boys – and the rest from Waitsburg.

Travis Crockett, a junior and veteran sprinter from Jubilee, should be a force in the 100-meter sprint and the relays, Bartlow said. He is also expected to compete in the high jump.

Bartlow said he expects the boys' relay teams to be highly competitive this year. Besides Crockett, athletes competing for spots on the 4 X 100 and 4 X 400 relay teams include juniors Nick Kitselman, Joe Leamy and Landon Callas, and sophomore Joe Larue.

Waitsburg has a reputation for strong performances in hurdles, and this year should be no different. Callas went to state in the 300 meter hurdles last year and hopes to go again in both 300 and 110. Larue also expects to specialize in hurdles.

The team has three senior boys, all of whom compete in throwing events. Mark Montgomery will likely throw shot put, javelin and discus. Brandon Penner will specialize in discus and javelin, and Zion Branson will compete in shot put and discus.

Junior Skylar Wood is expected to be very competitive for the Cardinals this year in distance events, including 800, 1600 and 3200 meter races.

On the girls' side, veteran distance runner Emily Adams will be shooting for spots at the state meet in multiple events, Bartlow said. Over the course of the season she is expected to compete in the 800, 1600 and 3200 meter events. She is also very strong in long jump and triple jump, and competed at the state meet in TJ last year.

Bartlow's assistant coaches this year include Joanna Lanning, who specializes in distance events; Lanny Adams, throwing events; Natasha Montgomery, high jump and long jump; Greg Fry, relays; Ron Hunnington, hurdles; and Leslie Stockton, distance events.

The season kicks off for the Cardinals Thursday with a meet in Kennewick. The team travels to Clarkston for a District 9 meet next Wednesday.

Waitsburg Track and Field Roster

Girls    

Emily Adams 11 W

Julia Taylor 11 W

Stephanie Nerf 11 W

Clarrissa Espanol 10 W

Leena Baker 9 W

Boys

Brandon Penner 12 W

Mark Montgomery 12 W

Zion Branson 12 W

Cameron Terry 11 W

Nick Kitselman 11 W

Joe Leamy 11 W

Dylan Knowles 11 W

Landon Callis 11 W

Skylar Wood 11 W

TJ Morrison 11 W

Travis Crockett 11 J

Andre Potts 11 P

Joe LaRue 10 W

Tom House 10 W

Korben Duffy 10 W

Kaleb Bryant 9 W

Brayden Wood 9 W

Daltin Lambert 9 W

Eric Hallee 9 W

Scott Leamy 9 W

James, Austin 9 W

Head Coach – Jeff Bartlow

Assistant Coaches –

Joanna Lanning, Lanny Adams

Volunteer Assistants –

Leslie Stockton, Ron Hunnington, Greg Fry, Ann Adams, Natasha Montgomery