Veteran group of runners expected to lead Colony girls

While the Colony boys may be going through some growing pains, the Colony girls have experience on their side.

The Knight girls are led by a group of veteran performers, each of whom qualified for the state championships last season.

Senior Dominique Colberg and juniors Shelby Beairsto and Stevie McDowell are not only expected to return to the state meet, but rank among Alaska's best in girls' track.

Colberg, a threat to win the state title in the distance events, will also add the hurdles to her resume.

"She is one of the top distance runners in the state and she is trying new things this year," Colony coach Cathe Rhodes said. "She wanted to try the hurdles."

Last season Colberg finished second in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in the Region III meet and third in the 3,200 at the state meet. Also one of the top cross-country runners in the state of Alaska, Colberg is in her final season of track at Colony. Colberg signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of Montana earlier this year and will join the Grizzly cross-country team next fall.

Beairsto qualified for the state meet in three different competitions last season. The junior placed in the high jump, triple jump and the 100-meter hurdles.

McDowell is the team's top sprinter. The junior is the reigning region champ in the 200 and placed third in the 100 at state.

Rhodes also noted freshman Haley Huggins and senior Amy Burns as Colony runners to look out for.

"Stevie is being challenged by Haley," Rhodes said. "Haley is a good young sprinter."

Burns will compete in the 100 and 300-meter hurdles.

"She is progressing steadily," Rhodes said of Burns. "She will definitely score some points."

Senior Margaret Morris will lead the Knight girls in the throwing events.

The Palmer girls will be led by senior sprinter Sara Quier and junior thrower Denise Stanley.

According to Palmer coach Dale Ewart, Stanley has the potential to be in the top three in the state in the shot put. Stanley was the lone athlete to eclipse 30 feet in the shot put in the Wasilla Invitational.

Stanley qualified for the state meet in the shot put last season.

Quier is coming off a fourth-place finish in the state meet last season. The senior easily won the 100-meter at the Wasilla Invitational Thursday.

A pair of Moose basketball girls basketball stars, Emily Bolling and Keisha Hooker, will be among the leaders in the mid-distance and relay events for Palmer.

Mary Brown and Esther Hundley lead a pack of Moose runners in the distance events.

Wasilla will be drawing from a young team. A bright spot on the Warrior roster is Suzanna Caldwell who won the 800 in the Wasilla Invite.