Valley schools ready for region meet

Hundreds of athletes will converge on Skyview High School this weekend as the Panthers host the 2003 Region III track and field meet.

Several Valley athletes could walk away with individual region titles and local squads are in contention for the team title.

After sweeping the Mat-Su Borough meet, the Palmer boys and girls are each in contention for their respective team title.

Leading the Palmer girls is its strong group of throwers. Denise Stanley currently has the top throw in the state in the shot put. Stanley has had the state's best number throughout the year and her current best is almost 37 feet.

Moose teammate Toni Cox has the top mark inthe region in the discus. Cox has been improving rapidly and had a throw of 118 feet last week. Cox currently ranks third in the state in discus.

Cox also has the second best throw in the state in the shot put.

Others who may contend for a region title for the Moose are Sarah Quier in the 100-meter and Jayme Irvine in the long jump.

The Palmer girls also have the top time in the 400-meter relay in the region.

The Palmer boys have a strong group of throwers, especially in the shot put.

Juniors Nick Pilch and Junior Aumavae will each contend for a top spot in the shot put. Each have the potential of hitting the 50-foot mark.

The competition in the discus will be much more stiff, as Skyview's Adam Koysar owns the state's top throw of more than 168 feet.

In the distance events Palmer's Aaron Dickson has the potential of winning three events. Dickson should vie for the title in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs.

Dickson had the top times in the states in each of the events until last week.

Stig Yngve and Jeramy Young of Kodiak will battle Dickson for the top time in the 1,600 and 3,200.

Palmer's 1,600-meter relay team currently boasts the top time in the state.

Palmer senior sprinter Dustin Eley should contend for titles in both the 100- and 200-meter.

Palmer's Olen Bingham could contend for the title in the 400-meter.

The Colony girls could also contend for the team title.

Leading the way for the Knights is sprinter Stevie McDowell and Shelby Beairsto.

McDowell is the top sprinter in the region in the 100 and 200-meter dashes.

Beairsto will contend for the region titles in the high jump and hurdle events.

Leading the Colony boys will be Justin Schwartzbauer and Peter Doner.

Schwartzbauer will be strong in the hurdle events and Doner in the distance events.