In past years a shortage of participants on the Coupeville track team has led to a shortage of points.
With over 50 athletes on this year’s squad, the Wolves proved in their first meet Friday afternoon that points may come a little easier than they have before.
“Both the boys and girls are deep this season,” coach Greg Oldham said. “We have a lot of newcomers who are really helping us.”
The Coupeville girls displayed their new-found depth, taking first place out of five teams in Friday’s meet. The Wolves finished with 89 total points, in front of Friday Harbor (68), Mount Vernon Christian (62), Lopez Island (22) and Grace Academy (10).
The girls had seven individual first-place finishers. Junior Janiece Jenkins was a multi-winner, taking first place in the 200 meter dash (29.43), 400 meter dash (1:12.44) and the triple jump (28-feet-6-inches). Jenkins, who transferred from Oak Harbor, looks to have a huge impact for Coupeville this year.
“This is another great addition for us,” Oldham said. “She’s fast and she’s very disciplined as a runner.”
Other big winners included Corinne Gaddis (100 meter dash), Kelly Ess (shot put), Lexie Black (discus), Kim Kisch (high jump) and Kyrsten Huddleston (long jump).
Most impressive about all the first-place finishers is they are all new to the Coupeville High School track program.
Jenkins is a transfer, Black is participating in track for the first time, while Gaddis, Kisch and Huddleston are all freshmen.
Coupeville tacked onto its dominating win by taking six second places and three third.
The CHS boys also had a nice day, finishing third overall. The Wolves ended with 61 points, behind Mount Vernon Christian (113) and Friday Harbor (66).
Other than first place finishes by Mike Daly (shot put) and Brandon Mazdra and Tom Rogers, who tied for first in the high jump, the Coupeville boys gained the majority of their points from second and third place finishes.
Of those who finished second, Oldham was impressed with the performance of junior sprinter Andrew Moon, who is also a first-time track participant.
“To finish second in four events isn’t a bad day,” Oldham said.
The Coupeville track team has its next meet at 3:30 p.m., tomorrow, March 25 at the Northwest A/B preview meet in La Conner.
Girls
3,200-Judkins (FH) 13:48.84; 100 hurdles-Wortham (MVC) 17.81; 100-Gaddis (CPV) 13.77; 1,600-Judkins (FH) 6:17.99; 400 relay-Mount Vernon Christian 4:58.77; 400-Jenkins (CPV) 1:12.44; 800-Wilbur (L) 2:32.00; 200-Jenkins (CPV) 29.43; 300 hurdles-Wortham (MVC) 53.72; 800 relay-Lopez 2:08.89; 1,600 relay-Mount Vernon Christian 4:58.77; Javelin-Morill (FH) 102-6; Discus-Black (CPV) 81-0.5; Triple jump-Jenkins (CPV) 28-6; Shot put-Ess (CPV) 25-6; High jump-Kisch (CPV) 14-5; Long jump-Huddleston (CPV) 14-5.
Boys
110 hurdles-Guard (FH) 20.07; 100-Bennett (MVC) 11.58; 1,600-Schloemer (MVC) 4:58.00; 400 relay-Mount Vernon Christian 47.65; 400-Teasdale (FH) 58.33; 300 hurdles-Vanderark (MVC) 44.64; 800-Schloemer (MVC) 2:15.02; 200-Bennett (MVC) 24.06; 3,200-Franco (FH) 10:51.58; 1,600 relay-Mount Vernon Christian 3:55.01; Javelin-Mines (MVC) 134-10; Discus-Lanting (MVC) 143-4; Triple jump-Vanderark (MVC) 40-4; Shot put-Daly (CPV) 39-1; High jump-Mazdra (CPV) 5-2, Rogers (CPV) 5-2; Long jump-Vanderark (MVC) 19-2.5
