Friday, March 29, 2024

Cascade track and field team has high hopes for 2018

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Several Cascade track and field athletes will be competing for state titles in 2018. Head Coach Bill Davies said there are a number of state performers on the team.
“Definitely Ashley Parton in the hurdles. All our relay girls are back from the team that placed in state last year and the year before, Addie Astell, Emily Gaines, Ashley Parton and Lauren Richardson. All four of those girls are outstanding seniors,” Davies said.
Davies believes Parton has a shot at a state title in the hurdles, and certain the relay team could do it too. Parton is a versatile athlete, competing in the 100 and 300 hurdles, long jump and one or both relays. Davies said as they get closer to state, they will see what she wants to focus on.
“Juniors Julia Armstrong and Gianna Pistoresi, those two could very well be battling for number one and two in state in the pole vault. Those two are that good. Ellie Kimes (Cashmere) is graduated and gone. One of those two could win state,” Davies said.
On the boys side, newcomer Carter Bailey should be a big point scorer. The speedster previously competed for the Upper Valley Christian School.
“We’re working on eligibility right now. Carter will make to state, if we can keep him healthy. That is our goal. He will make it to state in at least the 400. In the 100, we’re just going to take it easy on him, let him build up until it starts getting warm. He had a pretty bad injury last year,” Davies said.
Another athlete with great potential is the coaches’ son, freshman Landon Davies, who made state in cross country.
“I think Landon has a great chance to go to state as a freshman. He’ll run the mile and two mile. His best is the two mile, though it’s not his favorite event. Excited about Steven Tveten. He should have a good season in both hurdles and the pole vault. Will Cassayre ought to do pretty good in the pole vault and hopefully place in state,” Davies said. “Gabe Wulfman should do well. Gabe won the 100, 200 and 400 as a para-althete. He’ll win again this year.”
In shot put and discus, sophomore Hunter Reinhart should be strong, especially with the coaching from his uncle, Tim Barnes, who has joined the team as a coach.
“I’m blessed with coaches. Shannon Allen, from WSU. Eric Wulfman doing distance. He was a college athlete. Dan Cassayre. One of the reasons our pole vaulters are so good is because Dan is one of the best coaches in the state. Omar Stubblefield helping in throws and high jump. Great coaches, really lucky to have them,” Davies said.
In league, Davies thinks the girls will be good, but it’s hard to tell because the league is so good. Okanogan and Cashmere will be strong. The boys are growing. He believes Bailey will help a lot. They are just not deep enough yet.
For the first time in a couple years, the track team did not start out in the gym. Davies said that is a great help.
“We were doing intervals out here, and they were complaining. Doing intervals this early will help get them in shape much more quickly. Pole vault and high jump are out. Last year was bad. We were not on the track until the end of March,” Davies said.
Davies likes the schedule but wishes there were more JV meets.
“I wish we had more JV meets, because as our team grows, it makes it difficult to get the younger kids in the meets. We trying to find JV meets for the kids,” Davies said.
There are 35 kids turning out. The season begins on Saturday, March 24 at Ray Cockrum Relays in Wenatchee.
Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.

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