AT A GLANCE: Redmond prep track and field

REDMOND HIGH BOYS

• Head coach: David Peabody, 4th season

• Last year: 2-7 in 4A Kingco; 6th at league meet

• 2011 turnout: 60

 

KEY RETURNERS

• Sr. Miles Hille: Coming off a great cross-country season, he placed 5th at districts last year in the 800 and is a strong relay contributor.

• Jr. Henry Brown: Versatile hurdler that placed 7th at Kingco last year. Can compete in multiple events.

• Jr. Max Dunn: Three-sport athlete is the ultimate hybrid, can do distance, high jump, and sprints.

• Jr. Michael Gilroy: Specialist in 400 will bolster a solid Mustang relay squad.

• Jr. Sam Fayerweather: Solid sprinter got injured last year and worked hard to get back into form.

• Sr. Cotter Boyle: Upperclassman shows strong leadership, strong distance and 400 sprinter.

 

TOP NEWCOMERS

• Soph. Alex Binkerd: Making an impact in relays and short sprint events.

• Soph. Johnathan Stevens: Another dual cross country and track athlete, already placed 2nd in the 3,200 at an earlier league meet.

• Sr. Curty Rusch: Senior new to track has nailed down a spot on the relay teams.

• Soph. Sean Yang: Fast-improving hurdler is one to watch for the future.

 

BIG MEET

• Shelton Invitational, Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m. at Shelton High School: This meet always attracts top-tier competition and will be good preparation for the Kingco meet coming up two weeks later.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

The Mustang boys have two 2010 graduates currently running at the next level – Mack Young for Washington State and Cole Hardwick for Northern Arizona.

 

REDMOND HIGH GIRLS

• Head coach: Denis Villeneuve, 18th season (track)

• Last year: 7-2 in 4A Kingco; 8th at league meet, 46th at state

• 2011 turnout: 50

 

KEY RETURNERS

• Jr. Katie Lord: High jump star is the returning Kingco and District champion, looks to get on the podium this year at Star Track after placing 10th last year.

• Jr. Kate Smiley: Team’s only other district placer, she is a force in the sprint events.

• Sr. Jenna Sanders, Jrs. Holly Young, Allie Nichols: Trio of cross-country returners will shine in the grueling distance events.

• Srs. Darcy Hardwick, Amy Pumputis: Pair of experienced upperclassmen are versatile and look to make the cut to state. They both will contribute to sprints and relays, with Hardwick specializing in jump events.

 

TOP NEWCOMERS

• Jr. Joy Zhang: High jumping specialist will add depth to the team in that event behind Lord.

• Jr. Alexis Kimiball, Soph. Mandy Rusch, Aliyah Steiner: Trio of sprinters should improve as the season progresses and hopefully make a splash at Kingco.

• Soph. Lila Rice: One of the team’s top cross-country runners looks to make her mark in the distance events.

 

BIG MEET

• Shelton Invitational, Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m. at Shelton High School: This tournament always attracts top-tier competition and will be good preparation for the Kingco meet coming up two weeks later.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

Coach Villeneuve, who has been coaching at Redmond in some capacity since 1984, currently teaches Advanced Placement U. S. History and Psychology as well as American Government at Redmond High School.

 

THE BEAR CREEK SCHOOL BOYS AND GIRLS

• Head coach: Scott Wright, 3rd season

• 2010 turnout: 45

 

KEY RETURNERS – BOYS

• Sr. Josh Firminger: After finishing a close second in the 400 meters and fifth in the 200 last year, looking to close out his track career with gold.

• Jr. Lucas Fernandez, Sr. Nigel Saw: Key members of the 7th place 4×100 relay team have come back stronger and hope to advance up the state podium this year.

 

KEY RETURNERS – GIRLS

• Jr. Maddie Magee: Defending state high jump champion has cleared 5-8 and could contend for the title in any classification.

• Jrs. Elizabeth Fernandez, Danielle Isbell, Morgan Rial: Trio of sophomore sprinter returners make up a solid 4×200 relay team that has finished third at state in each of of the last years.

• Jr. Halle Coleman: Fourth member of the 4×200 medalists.

• Sr. Kira Geiger: Talented pole vaulter placed 4th at state as a sophomore and 3rd as a junior.

 

BIG MEET

• King’s Invitational, Saturday, April 16 at 10 a.m. at King’s School: Mid-season event showcases the league’s top talent.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

Maddie Magee’s best high jump of 5 feet, 8 inches – a mark she has reached three times at official meets, shattered her own Bear Creek School record and tied the top jump in the state for all girls.

 

COACH’S QUOTE

“We’re returning a lot of kids from last year’s team that went to the state meet, looking for a great year again at state. Good mix of returners and a strong group of newcomers.” — Coach Wright