WHS hosts first track meet of year

April 19, 2005

DARRELL L. BREESE/Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - Peter Doner of Colony High School was willing to wait.

When he was ready, though, Doner zipped away from teammate Rory Erhart on the final lap of the 1,600-meter run, winning his third race of the Wasilla Invitational Track Meet Saturday. Doner also won the 800- and 3,200-meter runs to help propel the Knights' past Anchorage Christian School for the boys team title.

The annual early season track and field meet featured teams from Colony, Houston, Palmer, Wasilla and seven other Northern Lights Conference Schools. It also served as the first chance for some of the state's best athletes to show their stuff.

Colony senior Justin Schwartzbauer added to his team's score, winning both hurdle races. The two-time state champion in the 300 hurdles finished two seconds ahead of the field in the 110 hurdles, with a time of 16.12 seconds. Later in the meet he won the 300.

"Justin is the 300 champion and recently signed with a Division I college," Colony coach Randy Magner said. "He has a little extra pressure to perform or people may start to wonder."

Nearly every running, throwing or jumping event featured a marquee athlete from one of the Valley's schools.

Palmer's Frank Marden, who was home-schooled for the last two years, caught everyone's eye Friday, clearing 6-feet on his second attempt to win the high jump.

"Frank was kind of a secret that only we knew about until yesterday," Palmer assistant coach Paul Reid said. "But I guess that has all changed. Six foot is a big jump for the first meet of the season. He's a dynamic jumper with really explosive legs. The win is a great way for him to begin his high school career."

Andy Kappler of Houston made it look easy Friday in the weight events. The senior won the shot put competition Friday with a throw of 44 feet, 5 inches. A state finalist last spring, Friday's throw nearly matched his personal best of 46-feet.

"Andy is starting off at a much better point this season," Houston coach Norm Bouchard said. "His winning throw was 10 foot better than where he was at the start of last season. If he can improve as much as he did last year, he should be in the mix to place at state."

Wasilla's Suzanna Caldwell's attempt to lead the 1,600 from start to finish was thwarted by Anchorage Christian School's Nychele Fishetti, who passed her in the final 30-meters. Caldwell's teammate, Hillarie Putnam, a state finalist in the triple and long jumps as a freshman, had strong showings in both events Friday and Saturday. She admitted to being a little weary having just completed basketball season.

"Getting out and competing really gets me going," Putnam said. "My body is a tired, but the sunshine, competition and adrenaline recharged me today."

Putnam finished second to Colony's Hallie Huggins, also a state finalist in the triple jump, leaving her both disappointed and motivated.

"Hallie has good speed to help her jumps," Putnam explained. "Finishing second is not what I wanted. It won't discourage me though. If I stay healthy and keep working, I am confident I can return to the state championship meet."

Huggins, who beat Putnam in the triple jump led a one-two sweep in the 100, as she and Adrianna Everett triumphed. Their success was not enough to claim the team title, which went to Palmer.

"Our girl's team might not be deep, but we have some good athletes," Magner said of the Colony girls. "Hallie, Adrianna and Allie-K (Babcock) should turn in some impressive times this year. I have high expectations for each of them."

Valley athletes continue the season this weekend as they travel to Soldotna for the Skyview Invitational Track Meet.

Wasilla Invitational Track and Field

Wasilla High School

Boys Team: 1. Colony 114, 2. ACS 88, 3. Palmer 87, 4. Grace 64, 5. Valdez 49

Boys Individual: 100 Meter: 1. J. Johnson, Val 11.76, 2. K. Jones, Grace 11.76, 3. C. Buffington, Sky 11.93, 4. S. Cliborn, Was 11.99, 5. Z. Hagerty, Her 12.03; 110 Hurdles: 1. J. Schwartzbauer, Col 16.12, 2. B. Self, Sky 18.52, 3. M. Codderre, ACS 19.59, 4. W. Ottara, SV 19.72, 5. L. Kincaid 20.99; 3200 Relay: 1. Colony 8:56.60, 2. ACS 9:00.40, 3. Skyview 9:20.80, 4. Grace 9:27.40, 5. Wasilla 9:46.50; Boys 3200: 1. P. Doner, Col 10:05.5, 2. A. Ellis, Val 10:20, 3. C. Arias, ACS 10:30, 4. G. McGregor, ACS 10:33, 5. S. Wachter, Was 10:42

Girls Team: 1. Palmer 104, 2. Colony 92, 3. ACS 87, 4. Grace 66, 5. Wasilla 59

Girls Individual: 100 Meter: 1. H. Huggins, Col 13.18, 2. A. Everett, Col 13.75, 3. M. Sutherland, Her 14.05, 5. J. Brown, 14.15; 100 Hurdles: 1. A. Bobcock, Col 17.69, 2. A. Villard 17.85, 3. E. Fehrer, Sky 18.39, 4. A. Millar, 18.42, 5. K. Neagele, 20.12; 3200 Relay: 1. Grace 11:04, 2. Colony 11:31, 3. Su Valley 11:35, 4. Skyview 11:57; 1. N. Fisher, ACS 12:25.13, 2. C. Martinez, 12:27, 3. S. Martinez, Grace 12:45.