BELLINGHAM — The Lakewood Cougar boys track and field team took fifth place at the Bi-District Championships on May 15 and May 17, while the girls team took 10th place in the event held at Civic Stadium.

Lakewood senior Justin Peterson took first place in the high jump and the triple jump, with final results of 6-01.00 and 43-02.50 respectively. Junior Andrew Stich took second place in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 15.56. Stich also took third place in the 300-meter hurdles with a final time of 40.13. Junior Skylar Cannon took third place in the girls javelin with a 121-01.

“Andrew Stich made it in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, Skylar Cannon made it in javelin and Justin Peterson in the high jump and triple jump,” said head coach Jeff Sowards. Stich, Cannon and Peterson are the Cougars who will advance to the WIAA State Track and Field Championships at Mount Tahoma High School from May 23-25. Sowards was wary of comparing this season to last for Peterson, who took first place at state in 2012.

“I don’t want to necessarily say that I think he’ll win it again — but he had his best meet of the season. He did really well when he got back on his correct take off foot, and he is definitely moving in a good direction.”

Stich is making the trip to Tacoma for the first time this year.

“It is his first time at state and he’s a junior,” said Sowards. “It might have looked like a bit of a surprise but he has performed well in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles all season.”

Cannon is somewhat of a veteran state qualifier, having made it to the championships since she was a freshman.

“This is Skylar’s third trip to the state meet,” said Sowards. “She went her freshman, sophomore and junior year.”

Overall, the Bi-District Meet was a chance for the Cougars to prove what they are worth.

“I think the kids were excited. The competition is the best in the state and the best in every classification. It will not be surprising if people make it out of this district, that they also stand on the podium at state.”