Medical Lake track sweeps Freeman

MEDICAL LAKE - The Medical Lake track team came away from its Northeast A League dual-meet with Freeman on May 5 with more than they expected.

That's in the eyes of head coach Gene Blankenship was not only thrilled the Cardinals swept the Scotties in competition, but the weather actually cooperated. The boys came away with an 82-59 win, while the girls prevailed 84.33 to 54.66.

As for that competition with the climate, "We actually had a good day, normally we go to Freeman and it's bad weather," Blankenship said.

Notable for the boys, Blankenship said was the effort or Connor Palmen whose 1 minute, 58.77 second time in the 800 meters moved the junior into the No. 3 slot all time at the school. The junior has one more meet this year, plus all of 2022 to try to break the mark.

Ironically that mark of 1:56.03 is held by Domenic Rhem who is currently part of the ML coaching staff.

Other personal records (PR) for the boys went to Preston Dyess with an 11.68 in the 100 meters and Josh Henry's 9-foot, 6-inch pole vault.

Amblessed Okemgbo had a pair of PRs in girls competition with an 18.77 in the 100-meter hurdles and a 118-foot toss of the discus. And while the 6-6 turned in by Paige Headrick won the pole vault, it was teammate Sierra Hardan's same number that was her PR.

Another notable effort was turned in by the ML girls' 4X100 where the time of 51.73 from Ailahni Viloria, Mayah Eberhardt, Natalie Salinas-Sanders and Sophie Salinas-Sanders is now No. 3 all-time at Medical Lake.

With Deer Park losing its last meet, Medical Lake can wrestle away second place in the NEA from the Stags with a win over Riverside in a May 12 meeting.

Paul Delaney is a retired Free Press Publishing reporter and can be reached at pauldelaney53@comcast.net.