Mighty Moe, Provo lead Lions contingent at league finals

Mikaila Moe is determined to go longer. Kasey Provo vows to go higher.

Two of Auburn Mountainview’s top field specialists are saving their bests for last as the competition heats up for this week’s 4A West Central District track championships at Kent’s French Field.

The meet opens at 3:30 p.m. Thursday and concludes Saturday, with field events beginning at 10 a.m. The top seven finishers in each event qualify for the state meet May 24-26 at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma.

Moe, a senior, set a school record in the triple jump, leaping 36 feet, 1¾ inches to finish second in last week’s North Puget Sound League finals at French Field. She followed that up with a personal-best effort of 17-0¾ to take seventh in the long jump last Friday.

“I was pretty excited,” Moe said of her record-breaking jump. “I didn’t hear (the official) say that (mark) until I saw the scoreboard and got a surprised look on my face. It’s amazing.

“I’m going to reach for a 37. That’s what I’ll need to go on (to state),” she said.

Provo, a junior, broke the school’s pole vault record earlier this year, climbing 14-7. Using a heavier pole, Provo challenged 15 feet at the league finals last Friday but settled for a mark of 14-0 and the win.

“It’s been haunting me for a while. I know I can clear it like I’ve done in practice,” Provo said of psychologically approaching and overcoming the 15-foot barrier. “Being the last one in the heat probably drained me today. … The last three jumps I didn’t get the pole into the pit … but I’ll be ready (for next week).”

Moe and Provo have been models of consistency this year. League coaches have taken notice, selecting them NPSL Olympic Division Female Field Athlete and Male Field Athlete of the Year. Provo follows teammate Talan Alfrey to earn the honor.

Auburn Mountainview finished second in the boys team chase, qualifying 24 to the district meet.

Strong in numbers, Tahoma won the boys and girls team titles.

“We were pretty pleased (with second overall),” said Lions coach Joel MacDougall.

The district poses a more difficult challenge this week.

“This meet is essentially like a state championship,” MacDougall said. “If you can grab one of the seven berths to state, you are more than likely going to place.”

In addition to Provo, the Lions’ 1,600-meter relay team took first. The foursome of Christopher Penn, Bill Benjamin, Carson Porter-Keese and Jadon Smith stopped the clock at 3 minutes, 26.81 seconds.

The Lions’ 400 relay, owners of the state’s sixth-best time, safely advanced with a time of 42.70. That group includes Christopher and Jeremiah Penn, Isaiah Kennard and Alfrey.

At 800 meters, Porter-Keese destroyed the field in his heat and finished the day with the second-quickest time, a season-best 1:56.76.

Other notable performers included Anthony Gonzales, who finished third in the javelin with school-record 162-4.

Porter-Keese added a fourth in 400 (51.13). Alfrey was fourth in the long jump (season-best 21-10¾), fifth in the triple jump (season-best 42-6¾) and fifth in the 100 (11.14). Christopher Penn was fourth in the 200 (22.70). Jaron Marks posted a fourth in the shot put (46-8¼).

Chase Murphy advanced in both hurdle races.

Robinson rolls on

Auburn Riverside’s Jaden Robinson, the NPSL Olympic Boys Track Athlete of the Year, moved on to district with second-best times in the 200 (season-best 22.47) and 400 (50.52) and delivered a third in the 100 (11.0).

Robinson joined Noah Elwell, Ryan Hess and Christian Guerra on the 1,600 relay with a 3:30.55 effort, fourth quickest at the meet. Hess and Elwell also qualified in the 800.

At the distances, junior Marcus Sutrick advanced with a third in the 3,200 (personal-best 9:27,23) and fourth in the 1,600 (personal-best 4:27.11).

Troy’s best

Auburn’s 1,600 relay of Bakari Bakari, Jamont Mills, Luis Romero and Tim Rambo had the meet’s second-best time of 3:29.75.

Zachary Stueck finished third in the 400 (51.01).

Omar Young, one of the state’s best discus throwers, was second (152-4). Steady senior Jacob Kludsikofsky was second in shot put (48-3). Ronnie Mairs, a sophomore, was fifth in the javelin (153-9).

Girls’ best

Auburn Riverside’s Aulane Mpouli pulled personal bests in finishing third in 100 (12.04) and 200 (25.06). She also threw the shot put a personal-best 40-1½ to take second.

Auburn’s Rebecca Thareek captured the high jump, clearing 5-5 and denying a pair of sophomores — teammate Alaya Hill (5-2) and the Ravens’ Stephanie Igwala (5-1).

Thareek, the NPSL Olympic Girls Track Athlete of the Year, advanced in the 100 hurdles (15.47) but fell and missed the district field in the 300 hurdles. Hill was fourth in the triple jump with a personal-best 34-9.

For the Lions, Lily Lavine won the 400 with a season-best 59.44.

Lavine later anchored the 1,600 relay of Anastasia Staroverova, Clara Ramsdell and Addyson Jones to a second-best time of 4:06.54. Ramsdell added a fourth in the 800 (2:25.67).

Samantha Goedde moved on in the 3,200 (11:58.0).