2024 Spring High School Sports Preview: Boys and girls track and field capsules for Greater Spokane League

From staff reports

The Washington high school track and field season is underway. Here’s a preview of the Greater Spokane League 4A/3A and 2A boys and girls teams.

Teams in alphabetical order by classification.

GSL 4A/3A

Central Valley: Charles Bowden enters his 34th year at CV coaching the boys team, which won 4A districts last season. Senior Brandon Gutzwiler is a two-time placer in the high jump, and there are several who qualified for state last year back for the Bears, which should be very competitive in jumps and throws.

Cheney: The boys team will be led by senior sprinters Kordell Laher and Tucker VanWormer, both state qualifiers, and distance runner Calvin Hilton. The girls team will be especially strong in throws with seniors Joy Assonken and Clara Brown, and high jumper Mariah Hill was a state qualifier. Coach Derek Slaughter said 120 boys and 65 girls came out for track this year.

Gonzaga Prep: Girls coach Chad Chambers, in his sixth season, has three state qualifying sprinters back – all juniors: Kaylin McMahon, Hannah Boyum and Olivia McIntyre. Freshman all-league basketball player Aylah Cornwall will be a “do it all” athlete for Chambers.

Lewis and Clark: According to eighth-year coach Michael Johnston, the boys and girls teams will be especially young this season, though the boys team “has plenty of depth.” Senior pole vaulter Kyle Worthy and senior hurdler Tyler Jones will be counted on for leadership.

Mead: Dominick Corley was the 3A state champ in the boys 200m and has enjoyed a tremendous indoor and club season. Kadmiel Lopez (jumps) and Even Berg (throws) are leaders for second-year coach James Lehr.

Mt. Spokane: Annette Helling returns for her 27th season with the Wildcats. State participants from last year include juniors Dakota Hansen (300 hurdles), and Stella Volpone and Makenna Ritter (4x100).

North Central: NC returns 46 of its 47.5 points at district, including three state placers – Cameron Dewey in both hurdles and Darius Stamps in long jump. The Wolfpack had 50 girls turn out this season with a strong group of juniors and seniors for 10th-year coach Kelly Harmon. Seniors Julie Greiner (pole vault), Marlee Schoeffler (jumps) and Brooke Suter (sprints) are leaders.

Ridgeline: Allison Booth takes over as coach of the girls team. Sprinters Preslie Young and Alexandra House, jumper Briana Pires and distance runners Sierra Tate and Paige Huntsinger are leaders for the Falcons.

University: Boys coach Ernie Aguilar, entering his eighth season, has 20 athletes returning. Aguilar thinks the 4x400 team of Jake Trefry, Jeffrey Whitman, Brayden Godfrey and Luke Trefry should be strong and that Adam Sessions could go to state in discus. Junior Addy MacArthur was state champ in discus and runner up in shot put last season. Senior Allie Ferrin (high jump) and sophomore Kyla Roberts (800m) placed at state. Todd Hawley returns for his sixth season with the Titans with 20 letterwinners back.

GSL 2A

East Valley: Logan Ihle was a state participant in the javelin and shot put. Tony Ngyuen (triple jump) and Talan Hughes (hurdles) reached regionals for coach Brandon Blize, entering his 11th season as head coach. The Knights girls were league and district champs last year for coach Shane Toy, in his 25th year as coach. Senior Logan Hofstee brings two state cross country state titles to the distances, while Amy Philpot (high jump) and Olivia Amen (pole vault) placed at state.

Pullman: Eight girls qualified for state last season and six return, including middle distance runner Anna Fitzgerald (fourth in 800), senior hurdler Jennabee Harris (seventh 300H) and junior Shahad Akasha (4x400). The turnout was “huge” according to fifth-year coach Allix Potratz-Lee.

Rogers: The Pirates boys team, which had 200 athletes out this spring, will be led by senior sprinter Aaron Kinsey, who was third at state in the 100. Kinsey helped lead Rogers’ football and basketball teams to state. Fellow senior sprinter Alex Munteanu is on the 4x100 team with Kinsey that took third at state. Sophomore sprinter Michael Sanders is one to watch. Khalil Winfrey takes over as coach of the girls team with strong sprinters as well, as seniors Emily Peabody and Akeelis Muhammad return from the state champ 4x100 team.

Shadle Park: Nathan Clayton returns for his seventh season coaching both teams. Senior Liam Newell placed fourth in the 300 hurdles last season and leads a large returning crew. Junior Josie Anselmo was last year’s pole vault champ, while senior Abbey Flerchinger has a good chance to place in javelin and triple jump.

West Valley: 10-time coach of the year Vic Wallace returns for his 18th season with the Eagles with a bevy of GSL champions. Senior Parker Munns placed sixth a state in high jump last year, and junior Cooper Henkle was second in the javelin. Junior Hadassah Duff and sophomores Lauren Matthew and Kyia Silva led the girls 4x400 team to sixth at state while senior McKenzie Sargent was second in high jump.