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Softball comes alive late in season, finishes 7th in state By Jack Pearce Hawkeye staff
The Terrace softball team had yet another tremendous season as it continued its tradition of little noticed excellence. The team snagged the last spot from the Wesco South conference for the District 1 playoffs with an 11-9 record, extending its streak of playoff appearances to a staggering 16th consecutive season. No other Terrace team, including the men’s basketball team, has a mark even close to that. The record didn’t accurately reflect the competitiveness of the team; they ended up losing five games by just two runs or less. Co-captain and the Everett Herald’s “all-area” junior, Maddy Kristjanson spoke about the regular season saying, “We were just missing that one crucial hit or out in those games.” Being the last team in meant that the Hawks had to face the top team from the North: Marysville-Pilchuck. The Hawks were not intimidated, but determined. “Everyone anticipated us to be two and done,” said the other co-captain, Rene Bos, senior. “We wanted to prove them wrong.” And the Hawks did just that. The team dismantled Pilchuck 6-4 and then defeated Shorecrest 4-0 to qualify for the state softball tournament. “It was amazing.” exclaimed Bos regarding qualifying for state. “Our hitting just came alive,” said Kristjanson. “As a team we hit nine home runs in [the state tournament].” The softball team went on to get seventh in the 3A state tournament, falling to the Bainbridge Spartans and even-
Luke Thurber | Hawkeye
Hannah Baisch prepares for her at-bat against Meadowdale during the 3A District 1 championship. The Mavericks narrowly defeated the Hawks 6-5 to clinch the District title.
tual second place Prairie and beating Bonney Lake and Enumclaw. Both Bos and Kristjanson described the team as “energetic, loving and determined.”
“We had great team chemistry,” said Kristjanson. All these factors added up to make a historic team that none of them will forget.
Track tops out at state By Austin McDermott Sports Co-Editor
Luke Thurber | Hawkeye
Gifton Okoronkwo begins his run for the triple jump at the Edmonds District Meet in May.
12 state competitors. Nine top ten finishes. Two state champions. One team. This year’s track team not only lived up to the precedent created by last year’s success, but likely surpassed it as well. At the WIAA 3A Track championships, the Hawks continued their season long triumphant tendencies. Chinne Okoronkwo, freshman, and her brother Gifton Okoronkwo, senior, continued their season-long dominance in the triple jump, with both siblings claiming the state championship in the event. Gifton made a stellar jump of 46’ 7.25”, a whole foot further than the second place competitor. Chinne also easily won with a jump of 40’. Chinne also finished second in pole vault and sixth in long jump, despite a hamstring injury. Gifton, Quinnell Mason, Joshua Kim, and Duane Dahl, all seniors, also competed in the 4x100 relay, finishing second in the state with a time of 42.85 seconds. Dahl also competed in the 300 meter hurdles, finishing ninth and a time of 40.48 seconds. Beau Kennedy, senior, made his second straight trip for the javelin, and just like last season, he finished eighth with a solid throw of 173’9”. Mckenna Hunt, sophomore, built on her surprise state appearance from last season; this year she came in fifth for the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 15.3 seconds, and fourth in the 300 meter hurdles coming in at 45.48 seconds, an expected improvement compared to last year’s seventh place finish in the 300 meter hurdles. Before heading to the state championships, the men’s Hawks track team easily defeated the competition, completing the
Gifton and regular season Chinne with an undeOkoronkwo, feated record McKenna and winning Hunt, Quinnell the 3A Wesco Mason, Duane track champiDahl, Joshua onship with a Kim, and Beau team score of Kennedy all 131.5 points, finished in more than 20 the top 10 at points ahead the 3A State Championships of second place Shorecrest. The women’s track team had a much different season, winning only 2 matches, but averaging 74.3 points per meet. Behind Hunt, Okoronkwo, and Hailee Malins, a freshman, being the only female underclassmen to qualify in state this season. Despite Malins failing to place in the top ten at state this season for shot put (she placed 12th), she is still just a freshman with a personal record of 36’ 0.75”. Other competitors at the state meet were Yohans Tewolde who came in 16th in the 800 meters and 14th in the 4x400 Relay along with Mason, Kim, and Dahl. Bryan Wyss participated in the wheelchair Javelin event, coming in third, and Tye Esparza, came in eighth place in the Triple Jump behind teammate and champion Okoronkwo. Also competing at the state competition was junior Jack Pearce who came in 13th in the 3200 meters. Looking back at this year’s track season, it’s easy to see the team has a bright future; the women’s team in particular. Behind three young studs who already have state experience, the team is poised to dominate the sport for several years to come.