By John Leggett
Staff Writer
The Bonney Lake High girls track and field team, which finished fourth during the Class 3A state meet last season, figures to have another good showing this season, according to coach Shirley Baker.
“I feel like we have a lot of balance with this season’s group of girls, in that we will be able to compete in almost every event,” she said.
While the team is highlighted by the return of senior distance runner Veronica Stinnett in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs, another promising senior is Adara Winder. Baker said Winder, who finished third in last year’s state shot put competition, has also been spending a substantial amount of time training to toss the discus as well.
Additionally, Haylee and Leslie Cannon as well as senior Taylor Howick will be involved in the 100- and 200-meter sprints this season.
Other prospects are freshman Taylor Moss and sophomore Channing Ross, who both hope to excel in the high jump and Kimber Kober, who will be looking to earn points for the team in the hurdles and triple jump.
On the boy’s front, coach Andy Foster said if turnout is any indicator, Bonney Lake should again be strong in most events.
Although most of the mile relay team that finished second in state last year graduated, the boys crew will return a good core of seniors in Brandon Bramchen, Brandon Barnett, Hunter Colegrove and Jordan Andrade. Whereas Colegrove is a sprinter and a shot putter, Andrade is an adept hurdler.
Baumchen is an accomplished distance man and Barnett specializes in the 400, 200 and 100 dashes.
The preseason is currently in full swing and will include a nonleague pairing with Spanaway Lake on Bonney Lake’s oval at 3 p.m. today, Wednesday.
The season will be briefly interrupted by spring break and by the time the students return to class it will almost be time for the Panthers to head for Tacoma’s Lincoln Bowl and the April 10 Tacoma Invitational, with the track events starting at 10 a.m. and the field events getting under way at noon.
The Panthers’ initial league meet will occur when Bonney Lake visits White River High at 3 p.m. April 15.
