Prep track: Warriors expect another strong push toward titles

WASILLA — Last season, the Wasilla Warriors got a head start on the track and field season.

Wasilla was able to enter a pair of meets at The Dome in Anchorage in early April and used that extra experience in its run to the 2012 4A girls state title.

This year, Wasilla competed in those same meets, The Mini and the Grace Christian Tuesday Night Invite, and head coach Gary Howell hopes the extra work will again translate into success.

“I think it was huge,” Howell said of the extra experience gained by competing in early April last year. “We have to be able to get into as many meets as possible. We really only have six weeks of competition, and we were able to get into six meets.”

Wasilla, which also captured the Northern Lights Conference girls team title last season, is on track to compete in a full slate of meets again this year.

Howell has seen one difference already this year. The overall numbers are down, and Wasilla’s defending state champion girls team does not have the overall depth it had last year. But that does not mean the Warriors won’t be competing for another state crown.

“We’re shallow, but we’re strong,” Howell said.

Howell said he has five athletes who could amass a significant number of points in the team standings — seniors Morgan Dampier and Jessica Pahkala, junior Jenna Ford, sophomore Mariah Burroughs and freshman Peggy Mathis.

“We could win the state meet with those five girls,” Howell said.

Dampier, Wasilla’s three-time individual state champion, leads the Warriors into the season. Dampier set a state record in the 800 meters as a sophomore en route to her first individual state title. The Sacramento State recruit shattered her own record as a junior to win another state title in the 800. Dampier also won the 400-meter state title as a junior.

Pahkala finished eighth in the 800 at the state meet last year and Burroughs was fourth in the 3,200 at state. Ford posted top-8 finishes in the 1,600 and 3,200 at the state championships.

Dampier and Pahkala helped the Warriors finish second in the 1,600 relay at the state meet.

Howell said Mathis could be potentially dangerous in a number of events.

Howell expects great things from those five athletes, but is also excited about a number of the other girls on the roster.

Senior Sariah Tuisaula and junior Alexis Imoe should lead the Warriors in the throwing events. Junior Alysha Devine could be a top jumper for the Warriors.

Junior Hope Spargo is expected to add depth in a number of events.

Howell said the goals for the girls team are simple.

“Three-peat and repeat,” he said.

On the boys side, Howell believes the Warriors can make a strong run at the region title.

Howell is excited about some of the new talent he has on the boys team.

He has his core group of veterans — seniors Keith Thompson, Noah Ripley and Josh Pahkala. But Wasilla has also received a boost from a group of athletes more known for their work in other Warriors sports.

Senior Tyler Anderson, a football standout, won three events at the Grace Christian Invite. Another football player, senior Devon Teeling, is the reigning state shot put champion.

A group of basketball players, seniors Connor Devine and Braydon Kuiper, and freshman Dane Kuiper, have also joined the squad.

Devine will be a jumper and Braydon Kuiper will throw for the Warriors.

Dane Kuiper will be used in the jumping events and the 200.

A pair of hockey players, William Harren and Andrew Cooley, are also on the squad.

Sophomore Mitchell Rilatos, a state alternate last year, has also impressed, Howell said.

“He’ll make an impact this year,” Howell said.

Wasilla’s next major test is the Big C Relays, which starts April 13 at The Dome in Anchorage. The Warriors travel to Kodiak April 20-21.

*** Editor’s note: This is the first piece of a four-part series previewing the seasons of the local 4A track and field teams. See upcoming editions of the Frontiersman for more.