It was business as usual last week for the Kentwood High girls track team.
The Conquerors, which entered the season as the favorite to win the South Puget Sound League North Division title, once again lived up to the promise last Wednesday afternoon as they put away Kent-Meridian 100-50.
The victory helped Kentwood wrap up its second consecutive North Division crown. It also is Kentwood’s second straight perfect run through league competition.
Yet, this year’s title had a distinctively different feel to it than last season. A year ago, the Conquerors were busy putting the final touches on the program’s first ever North crown. This one was more of a formality for the girls in silver, green, and black.
“Last year, we made a really big deal about the league title because it was the first in school history,” said coach Steve Roche. “This year, we knew we had a lot of talent coming in, and coming back. Because we had won and were defending (the title), it made sense to look at us as the favorites. Not that it’s not a big deal, but this year our aspirations are bigger.
“This is one of three steps.”
Those next two steps begin this week, when the Conquerors and the rest of the teams in the SPSL North begin postseason competition. The sub-district meet began Wednesday at French Field and will conclude Friday, May 13. Just like the league race, the Conquerors will be viewed as favorites in the sub-district and district meet before heading to state on March 27 at Mount Tahoma High, where Kentwood will be considered a strong title contender.
Kentwood took sixth at state last spring, which was the best finish in school history. More will be expected of the Conks this time around.
“(State) is what we’ve been looking at since last fall,” Roche said. “It has been on the top of everyone’s minds. You see the talent coming and coming back, and you think (this) team should be a contender.
“All I ask is that all of my kids give their best efforts every day.”
That certainly was the case against the Royals last week.
The Conquerors brought home first-place finishes in 14 of the 18 events.
Sprinter Holly DeHart continued to lead the Conquerors, grabbing victories in the 100 (12.66), the 200 (25.03), the long jump (17-01) and running a leg on the winning 4 x 200 relay team (1:45.77), which also included Mykala Benjamin, Mariah Lee and Madelayne Varela.
Kentwood freshman Sarah Toeaina also snared a three-win day, collecting victories in the 100 hurdles (16.25), the 300 hurdles (48.04) and the triple jump (35-01). Meanwhile, older sister Alyx Toeaina, a junior, continued to dominate the throwing events, bringing home gold in the shot put ((37-11) and the discus (125-03).
Kent-Meridian earned four first-place finishes at the meet, and was led by Alexia Martin, who took home the top spot in the 800 (2:25.18) and 1,600 (5:19.18).
The league title helped Kentwood continue its winning trend. The Conquerors also have won the Pasco Invitational and the Oregon Relays this spring. As such, a big celebration wasn’t necessary after securing another league crown.
“Its great. It’s phenomenal,” Roche said. “But the best is yet to come.”
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