Prep Athletes at the Husky Classic

      The Husky Classic provided for some excellent racing on both the professional and collegiate levels but there were some quality prep performances, which should not be overlooked.  Anthony Armstrong, the Washington 4A XC champion, was the top high school runner in the 3K and placed fourth overall with a solid 8:33.  The Kamiakin star topped Kai Wilmot of North Central, who was the second prep in the race, by nine seconds.   Jackson Baker & Fletcher Hazlehurst of Franklin High in Portland, ran 8:49 & 8:59 respectively, while Keenan Piper, Nick Obletz & Joe Hardy also ran in the event.

     Amy-Eloise Neale of Glacier Peak won the 800M with a fine 2:09 clocking.  Kristen Coffman of Tualatin was the second prep in the race & ran 2:15.   Malika Waschmann of Corvallis was third among high school runners with her 2:19.  Megan Beauchene of Kamiakin & Morgan Anderson of Silverton both were credited with 2:20.

    Chandler Olson of Woodinville was the best of her group in the 3K with her time of 10:08 but was closely pursued by Brittany Gappa of Squalicum, who ran 10:09.  Gracie Todd of Sheldon in Oregon ran 10:16, while Stephanie Rexus of Kamiakin was clocked in 10:40.

     Patrick Gibson, the 2A champion in the 2A Washington division, led the prep milers with 4:18.  The Squalicum runner was second in his section edged Lucas Graham of Northwest Christian-Lacey by a second.  Todd Bradley of Blaine nipped Blake Nelson of Henry Jackson as both were credited with versions of 4:22.   Will Sheeran (4:26) of Bellevue, Cody McCranie (4:29) of Auburn, Danny Lunder (4:4:35) and Morgan Coxen (4:55) of Silverton also ran in the mile.  Hannah Cunliffe, who is home-schooled, topped all comers in the 60 meter Dash.  The sophomore, who broke the national sophomore record on the Dempsey track last winter ran 7.64, yet was closely pursued by Kennadi Bouyer of Curtis, who zipped home in 7.67.   Dominique Keel of Westview outside of Portland was the third prep with 7.83 and earned sixth overall.   Dominique & Kennadi switched places in the 200 Meters, as the top two high school finishers with 25.37 & 25.44.  Micha Auzenne of St. Francis Mountain View in California ran 25.46.     Whitney Diggs of Highline and Kris Tollefson of West Seattle ran 57.36 & 58.67 in the 400 Meters.   Diggs also ran 25.71 in the 400M.

     Nicholas Boersma of Wenatchee was one of the top cross country runners in the state last fall but he showed impressive leg speed in the 600 with his time of 1:22. Nick was five overall and Aaron Michael of Lacey ran 1:28.  Will Drinkwater of Gig Harbor ran 1:56.66 in the 800 Meters & was followed closely by Geremia Lizier-Zmudzinski of Forest Grove, whose mark of 1:56.83 left him just off Will’s shoulder.  Keith Williams of North Central went 1:58.  Tumwater’s Andrew Brown raced the 400M in 50.81 and Israel Brandi-Sims of Wenatchee was third overall in the 60M with 6.97.

    The girls’ mile saw a number of prep runners compete but Ashley Windsor of Walnut Grove in B.C.  led the way with 5:04.  Madeline Ankhelyi  of Vista Del Lago followed with 5:05 and Paige Rice of St. Mary’s Academy came home in 5:06.  Katie Matora of Mercer island & Morgan Anderson of Silverton (Or) ran 5:11 & 5:13 respectively.   Ankhelyi also ran the 1000M in 2:58 placing fifth overall.

      Field events performers were led by Rachel Proteau of Corvallis, who jumped 5-05 in the High Jump.  Rachel appears ready to defend her Oregon State title.   Also jumping well were Sydney Eaton of Wilsonville and Katie Lord of Redmond, who both cleared 5-03.   The girls’ Long Jump competition was quite close with Brandi Williams of Auburn Riverside topping the field with 18-11.  Kennadi Bouyer placed fourth with 18-07.  Jesuit’s Jill Doyle and Lakeside’s Anandae Egland cleared 11-06 in the Pole Vault, as did Eva Perry of Issaquah, but fewer misses put Jill & Anandae, while Perry placed behind them.

Dylan Johnson made it a sweep for Jesuit by also annexing the prep title with 13-07.  Adam Garske of nearby Southridge vaulted 13-01.   Lane Russell of Tumwater and Royal Black battled each other in the Long Jump with Russell getting the nod in 21-02 to the 20-11 of Black.   Russell also went 42-05 in the Triple Jump.   Check out the high school results, which have been posted separately in spread sheet form to see how the numerous other prep athletes fared. 

     Action will return to the Dempsey in two weeks, when the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation will host its collegiate championship meet on Friday & Saturday.   Many of the best high school stars in the nation will be on hand Sunday to compete in the Brooks PR Invitational, which is a great opportunity for Northwest fans to see a first class high school event.