The Lakes High School boys’ track team last won the Class 3A state championship in the 4 x 100 relay in 2002 when the Lancers captured their third consecutive title.
Over the next 15 years, however, the squad experienced plenty of heartache in the event – narrowly finishing second a remarkable four times to go with a third- and fourth-place finish over the next decade and a half.
With speedy Dorien Simon kicking in late, Lakes’ drought in the relay came to an end as the sophomore teamed up with Zarrion Hill, Aamaree Harrington and Terrill Andrews to edge Gig Harbor in the state finals at Mount Tahoma High School.
The Lancers stopped the clock in 42.30 seconds – a time faster than any of the three Lancer title-winning teams between 2000 and 2002. The Tides team of Ryan King, Jurrian Hering, Marc Fletcher and Harrison Horwath finished second in a blistering 42.64.
The victory helped Lakes finish sixth overall in the team standings with 30 points. Mount Spokane won the 3A boys’ title with an impressive 81 points. Shadle Park was second with 52 and Gig Harbor came in third with 46. Lincoln, last year’s state champions, finished fourth with 38 points.
Lincoln’s James Mwaura won the state championship in the 3,200, crossing the wire in 9:11.10 – nearly 15 seconds faster than the race’s runner-up. The junior finished second in the event last year.
Bonney Lake’s Cody Miller continued his mastery of the 110 hurdles by edging Hering of Gig Harbor to claim the title. Miller’s winning time was 14.37.
In the 3A girls’ classification, Garfield registered 72 points to take home the top team honors. Gig Harbor was second with 60 points.
The Tides’ strong showing featured three individual champions.
Hannah Carroll capped her sensational sophomore campaign by winning the 400 in a time of 55.52, more than three seconds faster than runner-up Tessa Fujiaski of Redmond.
The Tides also received championships from senior Leahi Manthei, who won the 300 hurdles and finished second in the 110 hurdles, and junior Hadassah Ward, who notched her second consecutive state shot put title with a throw of 44-04.5.
Also repeating in a 3A girls’ field event was Bonney Lake junior Dreakeanna Adair, who posted a personal record throw of 134-04 to successfully defend her discus crown.
4A State Championships
The Enumclaw boys’ and girls’ teams were honored as 4A state academic champions. The Hornets received a combined team GPA of 3.611 from their boys’ squad and 3.825 from the girls’ team.
Curtis’ 4 x 100 boys’ relay team of Marlon Jones, Seth Joiner, Taj Moffett and Izaiah Fields posted a time of 41.97 to edge the Sumner team of Michael Russell, Tre Weed, Connor Wedington and Derek Lee to secure the state championship.
Omarei Gregory gave Rogers High of Puyallup its lone state champion on the boys’ side by winning the triple jump (47-00).
Gregory’s teammate Jelani Heath won her second straight girls’ long jump title (19-10.25), while Curtis High School finished first and second in the girls’ triple jump with Lexi Ellis (41-08.25) besting fellow Viking Saudia Heard (40-01.75).
Emerald Ridge’s Karlee Stueckle was a dual event winner – capturing the 100 and 300 hurdles, while Sumner High senior Rhaen Dean finished first in the javelin (138-05).
2A State Championships
The Fife High School girls’ team finished second in the team standings with 52 points. Sehome captured the overall team state championship with 57.5 points. The Fife Trojans received an individual state title from junior Madison Licari, who finished first in the girls pole vault with a PR of 11’9.
The Fife girls also won the 4 x 100 relay with the team of Mica Shaviri, Courtney Morton, Elizabeth James and Emily Rohrer covering the distance in 48.98 to knock off defending state champion Olympic, which went 49.18.
The Trojans also received second-place finishes from sophomore Emily Rohrer (100) and Morton (triple jump).
Fife’s M.J. Ale was the sole Pierce County athlete at the boys’ 2A meet to earn a title. The junior won the discus with a PR of 167-3. The throw was almost 20 feet farther than his winning throw at districts.