by Tiara Pajimola
The Pirates opened up their postseason with numerous personal records at the Vandal Jamboree hosted by the University of Idaho last Saturday.
Sophomore Christina Dobbins led the women’s team taking second in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.92. Dobbins took third in the high jump clearing 5-03 and third in the long jump with a distance of 17-08. Dobbins currently ranks tenth in the Division III national rankings for high jump.
Freshman Kerry Wright took second in the javelin throw with a distance of 142-01 while sophomore Rachel Palmquist took second in the triple jump with a mark of 37-05 1/4.
Now that the teams are in their postseason, there are less people, less intensity, and less chances to qualify Wright said.
“Postseason is a smaller group of kids who are either trying to qualify for nationals, already qualified for nationals, or kids who are just trying to get better,” Wright said.
Wright is currently ranked second in the Division III national rankings for the javelin.
On the men’s team, senior Carter Comito had two victories in the shot put and discus throwing 56-04 ¾ and 192-07, respectively. Comito ranks second in the shot put and first in the discus in the Division III national rankings.
Juniors Will Wren and Andrew Ryder crossed for the 800-meter in first and second place, respectively. Wren ran 1:56.64 while Ryder followed at 1:58.25.
Wren and Ryder have been going back and forth all season but according to Wren, it’s all part of a plan.
“We plan out the race tactically so I would take the first 400, he would take the next 200 and then we try to finish as fast as we can,” Wren said. “He had a faster time than me all season so it was definitely a great asset to run with him.”
The postseason has been less intense than the regular season Wren said.
“It’s more relaxing,” Wren said. “You are kind of doing it for fun.”
The 4×100 relay team took first crossing at 42.89. Junior Keegan Shea grabbed second place in the hammer throw with a distance of 183-00. Shea ranks fifth in the overall Division III national rankings for the hammer throw.
Senior John McCormack took third in the javelin throwing 193-09 which puts him at ninth in the nation. Junior Casey Monahan took a third place finish in the 110-meter hurdles crossing with a personal record of 14.81 improving him to 18th in the nation. Sophomore Trent Aslin took third in the 200-meter, crossing at 22.50.
The Bucs will continue their post season at the Sasquatch Thrower/Distance Carnival at Spokane Falls Community College May 8 starting at 3 p.m.
Contact Tiara Pajimola at tpajimola16@my.whitworth.edu