SPSL North at a Glance | Track and Field

A reshuffling of the South Puget Sound League in track and field has left the North with six teams: Auburn, Kentlake, Kent-Meridian, Kentridge, Kentwood and Tahoma. Federal Way won the North last year followed closely by Kent-Meridian. K-M would have given the Eagles a stiff challenge for the North crown this spring. Federal Way’s shift makes K-M the heavy favorite to win the team title this season. It’s not that the rest of the North isn’t talented, but the Royals have returned almost all of their point scorers from state a year ago, when they finished second overall. Kentwood and Kentridge both have above-average talent, neither however has the depth of K-M. If the Royals don’t run into any health or grade issues, a state title is a legitimate possibility.

By Erick Walker • April 8, 2010 5:42 pm

BOYS

∙ FAVORITES: Kent-Meridian.

∙ CONTENDER: Kentwood.

∙ COULD SURPRISE: Kentridge, Tahoma, Kentlake, Auburn.

∙ LEAGUE OUTLOOK: A reshuffling of the South Puget Sound League in track and field has left the North with six teams: Auburn, Kentlake, Kent-Meridian, Kentridge, Kentwood and Tahoma. Federal Way won the North last year followed closely by Kent-Meridian. K-M would have given the Eagles a stiff challenge for the North crown this spring. Federal Way’s shift makes K-M the heavy favorite to win the team title this season. It’s not that the rest of the North isn’t talented, but the Royals have returned almost all of their point scorers from state a year ago, when they finished second overall. Kentwood and Kentridge both have above-average talent, neither however has the depth of K-M. If the Royals don’t run into any health or grade issues, a state title is a legitimate possibility.

• NOTABLE: Kentwood’s Tim Pettit took third last spring in the 800, which should be a loaded field again this year. Kentwood’s Kevin Bateman (high jump, 200 meter), Tristan Askew (100, 200), Danny Lunder (distance) and Kevin Massimino (distance) give the Conquerors a solid foundation that should help them finish near the top of the North. … Kentlake certainly isn’t low on depth in the hurdles. In the 110-meter hurdles, sophomore Jaren Heck and junior Alex Strauss already rank among the North’s elite. In the 300-meter hurdles, Kentlake’s Shad Hall ranks fifth in the North, just behind Kentwood’s Jordan Jainga.

GIRLS

∙ FAVORITES: Kentwood.

∙ CONTENDER: Tahoma, K-M.

∙ COULD SURPRISE: Kentridge, Kentlake.

∙ LEAGUE OUTLOOK: Similar to the Kent-Meridian boys, the Kentwood girls have too much depth for any team in the league to compete with. Tahoma came into the season as the biggest challenger to the Conquerors, but were quickly dispatched 89-61 in the season-opener on March 18.

• NOTABLE: There could be several state titles coming from the North this spring. Kentwood senior Dana Wareham is looking — and likely will grab — her fourth state berth in as many years. After taking sixth in the 400 last spring, Wareham could land atop the podium this time around. Teammates Holly Dehart (100, 200), Alyx Toeaina (throws), Kailey Ulland (distance) and Quincie Proctor-Guyton (100, 200) all could join Wareham on the podium. … Kentlake sophomore Maddi Varela has quickly emerged in the early season as one of the North’s top sprinters. Paired with teammate Laura Rayfield (jumps) gives the Falcons a strong 1-2 punch that should supply plenty of points. … Kentridge has the talent to do some damage this spring, especially with top returners Jaclyn Onosko (relays, javelin), Molly Shiroishi (800, 4 x 400 relay), Andrea Antrim (distance), Amelia Carpenter (pole vault), Katie Lake (sprints), Daniele Wilson (sprints) and Haley Bertelsen (relays) back in action.