SHORELINE — Arlington track returns to state with a small, but talented contingent. One noticeable thing — its youth.
Freshman Blake McPherson produced the Eagles’ only district championship, winning the javelin with a mark of 171-3.
“My first throws were pretty bad,” he said, after being awarded a pin on the district meet’s second day, May 22. On the third throw, he uncorked his winning mark. The whole time, he was chased by Monroe’s Cody Melnrick, whose best throw was about a foot behind McPherson’s.
“I was nervous,” he added. “I was praying he wouldn’t get it.”
Although a veteran of USA Track and Field junior Olympian meets, the atmosphere and crowds at districts meets can be a little different. Joining McPherson will be fellow freshman Max Bryson, who took second place at districts with a leap of 6-4 in the high jump.
The top three placers in each event earned a chance to compete at the state track meet, which will be held May 28-30 at Mount Tahoma High School.
Arlington had a slew of individuals and relays place fourth, just out of reach. Senior Amanda Wreggelsworth (300-meter hurdles), junior Ginny Wilson (high jump) and sophomore Stephanie Van Slageren (javelin) eked out state-qualifying berths, each placing third in their events.
A slew of close finishes on the girls side helped the Arlington girls tie with Oak Harbor for fifth place in the meet at Shoreline Stadium. More youth appears in the close finishes. Freshman Stefanie Schmuck placed fourth in the 100 hurdles. Freshman Teresa Wadey and sophomore Katie Anderson will return to help put the girls 4×400 relay over the top next year. Freshman Alexis Sarver placed fourth to Wilson in the high jump, also clearing 5-1. And Arlington returns all three girls who made the shot put finals — fourth-place Marissa Elgarico, seventh-place Megan Abdo and eighth-place Brittany Covey.
Senior Andrew Languille ended his bid for state one place and three inches short.
Also notable — though she placed ninth overall, Wadey set a new school record in the 1,600, running 5:15.31.
