Photo by Larry Bale - Willapa Valley's Hannah Cook and Olivia Betrozoff ran one, two in the 100-meter high hurdles Thursday at the Henrie-Weisel Tri-meet.
Raymond retained its hold on the Henrie-Weisel Willapa Harbor Tri-District championship Thursday on a rainy lukewarm day at the Leo Rubstello Track facility at Raymond HS. Raymond's star track athlete, Karlee Freeman, won four events and upped her school-record length in the shot put to 43 feet. Freeman, who is going to USC in the fall on a track and field scholarship, also won the discus (159 feet, 11 inches), javelin (126 ft) and 100-meter dash (13.44).
Raymond scored a combined team total of 158 points to easily outdistance South Bend's effort of 85. Willapa Valley scored 42 points. The Vikings were without three of their top female athletes and the Vikes don't have many boys on the track and field squad this season. Raymond has an abundance of track and field participants.
Raymond has won the title ever since 2012, which is when it got the Henrie-Weisel name and when a traveling trophy started being awarded to the winning team, which has always gone to Raymond. The event was named after Jim Henrie and Don Weisel, two coaching icons in RHS and SBHS lore.
The Seagulls tallied 112 points. The Indians scored 44 and Valley's boys had eight points, thanks to Bryce Sanaski's winning effort in the pole vault (11-6).
The Lady Seagulls narrowly beat the Lady Indians 46 to 41, and Valley was third at 34. The Vikings were without the services of Brooke Friese, and the Layman sisters, Hallee (soph) and Emilee (senior), who undoubtedly could have scored a lot of points.
"We had a great Tri-District Meet on Thursday." Raymond HS Head Track and Field Coach Mike Tully told the Herald. "We were able to compete well and get some good marks despite the constant rain. Obviously, the high point was retaining the Henrie-Weisel Trophy for the seventh consecutive year. Our numbers were a little overwhelming, as we were able to fill quite a few of the events and pick up some big points that way.
"Karlee Freeman improved on her school record in the shot put and also had a PR in the javelin to go along with her wins in the 100 and discus," Coach Tully noted.
"McCartney Maden had a huge season best and was only 0.01 seconds off his career best in the 300 hurdles (43.15), as he just barely snuck by (South Bend's) Ben Byington (43.17) at the finish," Tully said. "McCartney also looked good in winning the 110 hurdles (16.62)." Maden also finished secpnd in the triple jump.
"Marcus Anderson ran the 200 for the first time and pulled out the win to go along with his win in the high jump (6 ft) ," Tully said. Anderson's clocking was 25.27, and he was third in the 100.
"Overall, I'm happy with where we are sitting at this point in the season," Tully added. "I think we're primed to get some good times and marks as soon as we can get the weather to cooperate."
Winning two competitons for Raymond were Rick Robinett (shot put, discus) and Audi Phimmasone (800, 1600). Robinett was second in the jav and Phimmasone was third in the triple.
South Bend junior Hannah Byington won two events, the long jump (16½ ft) and triple jump (32 ft, 6¾ inches) and finished second in the high jump and 100. "Hannah Byington continued her impressive season," SBHS head coach Steve Lazelle told the Herald.
Wllapa Valley's Hannah Cook won the 100-meter high hurdles and the 300-meter low hurdles and ran second in the 800 meters.
Viking Amber Anderson won two races, the 3200 and 1600.
Ben Byington won the 100 meters with a time of 11.94 and took second in both hurdle races.
Indian Raul Mora threw the javelin the farthest to win at 138-2.
Valley's Olivia Betrozoff was a winner in the high jump (4-6) and was a runnerup in the 100 hurdles.
South Bend's Alathea Markwell took first place in the 800-meter run and placed third in the discus and long jump.
South Bend's Preston Lawhead won the 400 meters and was third in the 200 and long jump. "Preston Lawhead had a good day also, continuing to improve with each meet," Laselle said.
Seagull Phil Kronjaeger won the 3200 and took second in the 1600.
Raymond's Ana Quintana won the 400 meters and ran third in the 100.
Raymond's Pat Edwards took first in the long jump (19-5) and placed third in the shot.
South Bend's Logan Stamos won the triple jump at 39 ft, 1½ inches.
The Lady Seagulls were the only foursome in the 4 by 200 with winning runners Tina Sypahay, Isabel Mora, Hannah Rumbles and Esmeralda Mora.
The Seagulls ran the 4 by 400 without competition and won with runners Audi Phimmasone, Shayn Sath, Joe Villalpando and Jeremiah Meade.
Raymond's Meade ran second in the 100 and 200 and Casey Carter took second place in the pole vault and 400.
Raymond's Johanna Crow placed second in the disc and shot and finished third in the jav.
South Bend's Katelyn Doyle ended up second in the long jump and third in the triple jump.
South Bend's Jessica Sanchez finished second in the javelin at 110 feet, 2 inches and Joshlynne Johnson was second in the triple jump and Sage Baker placed third in the shot put and Lucinda Bucio ran third in the 800.
"Jessica Sanchez had a PR in the javelin and looks to improve on her mark in future meets," Lazelle said."All athletes competed at a high level and did a great job in adverse conditions."
Raymond and South Bend head to Naselle and Willapa Valley goes to Napavine Thursday.
Coach Tully reported that Freeman (shot put and discus) and Anderson (high jump) will compete at Hayward Field at Eugene in the Oregon Relays Friday and Saturday. The meet is for qualifiers only.