WRHS boys team moves to 4-0 in SPSL 3A

The White River High boys improved to 4-0 in South Puget Sound League 3A track and field action with a Thursday afternoon, double-dual sweep of Franklin Pierce and Peninsula.

At the conclusion of a meet that had coaches figuring scores a couple of times, the Hornets slipped past Peninsula 73-72. There was no need to double-check scores on the other side of the ledger as White River romped past the Cardinals 112.5-32.5.

In girls competition, the Hornets defeated Franklin pierce 79.5-66.5, but fell to Peninsula 84-65, evening their league mark at 2-2.

“We came out on top in some upsets,” Hornet coach Jerry Scheidt said, explaining his boy’s victory over Peninsula. Eventually, he said, the key was consistent contributions from up and down the roster.

Highlights for the White River boys included Blake Tidwell earning second-place points in three events, the long jump, high jump and 100-meter dash. Grant Peckham won the shot put and was second in the discus. Colin Green won the 100 meters, Marcus Dickson won the 1,600 and Matt Dickson was second in the 800 meters.

The Hornet boys were helped by a sweep in the pole vault, where Austin Shirey was first, Aaron Toman was second and Evan Mays-Scriven placed third.

Though Scheidt didn’t know it at the time, the decision against the Seahawks came down the 1,600-meter relay. The Dickson brothers, Marcus and Matt, combined with the Green brothers, Collin and Kramer, to take first and secure the team victory.

On the girls side, White River received winning performances from Hailey Menzel in the pole vault, Carley McCutchen in the 300-meter hurdles and the 1,600-meter relay team of Lauryn Wate, Ashley Llapitan, McCutchen and Kristine Brons.

Other key contributions came from Wate, who placed second in both the 800 and 1,600 meters; McCutchen, second in the long jump; and Jessica Lindner and Donna Lisenbee, who placed second in the 100-meter hurdles and high jump, respectively.

The Hornets will enjoy a rare home meet Thursday afternoon when they host Sumner and Clover Park. Saturday, a handful of White River athletes will trek to the Shelton Invitational.

Reach Kevin Hanson at khanson@courierherald.com or 360-802-8205.