GIRLS TRACK PREVIEW ’09: KW has its eyes on the prize

Just 13 girls turned out for the track & field team at Kentwood High seven years ago.

How things have changed.

Numbers and talent have gone up considerably since 2002, when current coach Steve Roche was an assistant. And if the Conquerors haven’t officially turned the corner yet, rest assured, they will this spring.

Potentially more than in any previous season in the school’s 28-year history, Kentwood is oozing with talent this season — maybe even enough to knock off perennial South Puget Sound League North Division power Tahoma.

“They’re the ones to beat,” Roche said of Tahoma. “They have an incredible team, one that everyone tries to measure up against. We’re definitely shooting for them.”

The Tahoma team of which Roche speaks entered this spring having won the last three South Puget Sound League North Division crowns, all with unbeaten records. But if any team in the North is going to give the Bears a run for their money, it’s the Conquerors.

While the numbers have increased at Kentwood – from 13 in 2002 to 70 this spring – so has the talent. That explains why Roche is brimming with confidence these days.

Pick an event, any event, and Kentwood has a girl capable of challenging for the top spot on virtually any given day.

Leading the way is basketball standout Lindsey Moore, who is a four-time state participant in the high jump and javelin. Moore, a senior who will play basketball at the University of Nebraska next season, took fifth at Star Track last year in the high jump (5 feet, 6 inches) and 14th in the javelin (115-8).

“She’s just a cornerstone-type kid,” Roche said. “She absolutely could place twice at state — there’s no reason to think she can’t.”

But the Conquerors are much more than just Moore, which helps explain why they’re considered strong challengers to Tahoma this spring. Behind Moore are state veterans Dana Wareham, Holly DeHart, Kyra Gaines and Jamie Larsen.

Wareham, a junior, took 10th at state last year in the 400 and also was part of Kentwood’s 800 relay team that qualified for state.

“She came to us having not done track in middle school and was primarily a soccer girl who decided to give track a try,” Roche said. “She came out and was immediately pushing our top girls as a freshman.”

Meanwhile, DeHart, still just a sophomore, is part of that 800 relay team but also is among the North Division’s elite in the long jump and 200 meters. Gaines, a senior, possesses plenty of speed to burn in the 100 and 200, and anchors the 800 relay team that should challenge for a medal at Star Track in May.

Then there’s Larsen, a senior who is possibly the most gifted athlete of the bunch.

An elite gymnast who competed at state during the winter, Larsen didn’t turn out for the track team until last year. Despite her relative lack of experience, Larsen quickly turned her tumbling, twirling gymnastics routine into track stardom as a junior, taking 14th at state in the pole vault, uncorking a flight of 8-6 at Pasco’s Edgar Brown Stadium.

“If you look at the top pole vaulters, especially females, they’re invariably gymnasts,” Roche said. “It is the most complex event you can do. For her to reach the state level in her very first year is impressive. That gymnastics skill is just invaluable.

“It’s a perfect transition.”

Unfortunately for the rest of the SPSL North, however, the Conquerors go even deeper. In fact, Roche expects freshmen Alyx Toeiana (throws), Tishayla Williams (sprints), Megan McNally (sprints) and Savannah Luther (middle distance) to make an instant impact.

And if that happens, the Conquerors could be sitting on a bit of history.

“(Track) is the only sport at Kentwood that does not have a league title,” Roche noted. “We’re not going to be handed anything. Tahoma is going to supply one heck of a challenge. Our team has grown in talent and depth and they have a shot to do some things that have never been done before.”

Things have changed, indeed.