Chandler Olson Breaks Five

       The first day of action at the District meet held at Marysville-Pilchuck on Wednesday resulted in a number of solid marks but none was as impressive as Chandler Olson’s effort in the 1600 Meters.   Chandler topped a strong field that included Brooke Kingma of Jackson and Mia Wrey of Ballard.   Although the victory is important in itself, the time is of a special quality for it marks her first time under the five minute barrier.   The time is almost magical as a standard for excellence and has been a long-standing goal for Chandler, who had approached the mark earlier at Pasco.  We well remember her friend Maddie Meyers of the Northwest School confidently predicting that day, that “you’re going to do that.”    Of making the dream become a reality is the challenge on Olson made it happen on Wednesday with her new personal record of 4:59.18.   The Woodinville runner had help along the way as both Kingma & Wrey remained close and ended up with very solid times of 5:00.99 & 5:01 respectively.  Running well also were Jordin Stevenson of Stanwood, who ran 5:03, and Kyra Burke of Inglemoor, who ran 5:05.

   Blake Nelson of Henry Jackson won the boys’ 1600 Meters in 4:17.43.  Michael Mendenhall of Inglemoor earned second with 4:19.05 edging Johnathan Stevens of Redmond, who ran 4:19.79.  Alex Bowns of Ballard placed fourth in 4:20.

    Stanwood’s Kaci Jones was a double winner for the day with victories in the Discus (132-02) and the javelin (135-08).   Arlington’s Alexis Sarver secured second in the Discus with 131-04, while Ashley Alexander of Monroe took second in the javelin with 126-09.   Ruby Herbert of Edmonds-Woodway won a tight battle in the girls’ Long Jump, as she nipped Charlee Polon of MP 16-06.75 to 16-00.00.  Right behind were Jessica Ludwig (16-04) of Arlington and Anna Marenah of Monroe (16-03).

      Austin Sodorff of Woodinville secured the guys’ Pole Vault title based on fewer misses over Jon Ell of Mayrysville with both clearing 14-00.   Kevin Yates of Snohomish prevailed against strong competition in the Long Jump with his mark of 21-10.   Jamala Myres II of Garfield was second in 21-04 and Jorrell Dorsey of Issaquah (21-03) as third.