The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

MILTON-FREEWATER - WP maintained its successful season last Wednesday by placing first and second in the men's and women's track and field competition at Shockman Field.

The Cardinals went up against some tough teams on Wednesday. McLoughlin, De- Sales, Pomeroy and WWVA athletes competed at the meet.

It was a big day for the WP women's team with veterans stepping up and adding up the points for their team and a couple of younger athletes showed their potential as well.

Veteran sprinter Kristin Potter took first in the 100-meter race and first in the 200-meter race. Veteran hurdler and jumper Ronnie Hulce placed third in the 100-meter hurdles, first in the 300-meter hurdles and second in the triple jump.

"(Hulce) is now getting into shape and is contributing all across the board," said head coach Jeff Bartlow. "Her hurdles times are coming down and she is competing and making progress."

Emily Skay really held her own on Wednesday and placed third in the 200-meter race and second in the 800-meter race. This was Skay's debut in the 800-meter race.

The WP Lady Cardinals placed second in the 4x100- meter relay.

"Our 4x1 girls' team is shining (Potter, Hulce, Stacia Deal and Skay) took off 6 tenths of a second and now is very much in the picture for going to state," Bartlow said.

For the WP throwers, Brittany Lute placed second in the shot put, followed by Meara Baker in fourth. Amanda Cook placed first in the discus throw followed by Beka Adams in third. In the javelin throw, Cook placed fourth and Lute followed her in fifth.

For the jumpers, Maddy Witt placed fourth in the long jump and third in the triple jump.

The men's team maintained its reputation for quick feet and powerful throwing and jumping last Wednesday.

WP's James Thompkins had a solid day, placing first in the 100-meter race, second in the 200-meter race and second in the 400-meter race. Logan Wanous came in right behind Thompkins in the 200-meter race in third and placed seventh in the 100-meter race.

Middle-distance runner Seth Deal continued his streak and placed first in the 800-meter race as well as the 1600-meter race.

Veteran thrower Eshom Estes placed first in the shot put, second in discus and second in javelin. Bartow said Estes' throws in the discus and javelin were personal bests for him. Estes also threw more than 50 feet in the shot put, he added.

"Estes had a huge day," Bartlow said.

And the jumpers are coming along as well in the season. Austin Conklin, Owen Lanning and Logan Dozier are starting to reach peak performance, Bartlow said.

WP's Brendan Donovan placed first in the high jump and the triple jump was dominated by WP athletes. In that event, Conklin placed first, followed by Dozier in third and Lanning in fourth.

Bartlow said he is excited for the meet on May 2 because all nine of the District 9 teams will be competing in Clarkston. Asotin has a great distance team, he said, and he's looking forward to the competition on Wednesday.