Sequim and Port Angeles open state track competition at the 2A level today while Port Townsend, Chimacum, Forks, Crescent, Neah Bay and Clallam Bay all wait for the start of 1A and 1B action Friday.
The Wolves and Roughriders will compete at Mount Tahoma Stadium in Tacoma with finals today in girls 3200 and javelin, and boys 3200 and long jump.
Friday’s finals will include girls pole vault, where Port Angeles’ Tarah Erickson will be going after a state title, girls high jump and boys high jump, javelin, pole vault and shot put in the first session.
There also will be finals in Friday’s second session, including boys 110-meter hurdles and triple jump, and girls 100 hurdles, shot put and triple jump.
All other field- and running-event finals are set for Saturday.
Both the 1A and 1B state track and field finals are set for Eastern Washington University in Cheney on Friday and Saturday.
Events start at 10 a.m. Friday and 9:15 a.m. with opening ceremonies Saturday.
Crescent and Neah Bay will be well represented at the 1B meet.
Crescent’s Mike Zapien will be one for fans to keep their eyes on as he is seeded in the top two in three throwing events.
Zapien goes in with a top seed in javelin with a mark-to-beat of 160 feet, 11 inches.
He also is seeded second in both the discus and shot put.
Other Crescent boys to watch are Joel Williams in 110-meter hurdles, 300 hurdles; Matthew Waldrip in 110 and 300 hurdles; the 4×100 and 4×400 relay team; Donovan Christie in long jump and high jump; and Derek Findley in triple jump.
Christie is the top seed in high jump (5-11) while Findley is the second seed in triple jump.
Senior sprinter Titus Pascua leads a strong group of Red Devils at state.
Pascua will compete in both the 100 and 200 dashes, and also the long jump.
Others to watch for Neah Bay are the 4×100 relay team, the second seed at state, and Harold Tyler in javelin.
Ryan Willis will lead Clallam Bay at state with a third seed in high jump.
Others competing for the Bruins are Jesse Wonderly in the 400 dash, and Justin Welever in the 100.
In girls 1B competition, Crescent will have two relay teams, including the 4×100 and 4×400, and Devanie Christie competing in javelin.
Neah Bay’s Courtney Winck will be in two events, the long jump where she is seeded fourth, and triple jump.
Melissa Willis will be representing Clallam Bay in high jump.
1A Track
Port Townsend will have a strong presence in the girls meet with five individuals and the 4×400 relay team.
Jewel Johnson is set for the 200 dash and Marie Karlsen will be in the 400 race for a solid sprint presene.
Others competing for the Redskins are Rebecca Stewart in triple jump, and Patricia Reeves and Emily Seaman both in high jump.
The Forks Spartans will have Sydney Christenson competing in two events, the discus and shot put, where she is seeded second at 33 feet, 9 inches.
Kristen Larson of Forks will run in the 3200 while Kari Larson will be in the 800 race.
Chimacum’s Krista Hathaway will compete in the javelin throw.
Junior Shane WhiteEagle of Forks will compete in three events in 1A boys.
He will race in both the 100 and 200 sprints, and also will take part in shot put.
Chimacum and Port Townsend has one athlete each at state.
Port Townsend’s Skyler Coppenrath will compete in triple jump while Chimacum’s Daryl Settlemire will throw the discus, where he is seeded fourth with a throw of 142-07.