North Sound Christian track teams don’t have the numbers as far as turnout is concerned.
The Lions only have four boys and seven girls competing this season, but one of North Sound Christian’s sprinters definitely has the numbers as far as her times go.
Senior Myisha Valentine, the defending Class 1B/2B 100-meter champion, has bettered her school records in the 100 and 400. She also holds the school’s fastest time in the 200. Her time of 13.23 seconds in the 100 and 61.31 in the 400 are second overall in the 1B classification. Pateros senior Diana Batson is ahead of Valentine in both events. Valentine’s time of 27.94 is fourth overall in the 200. Valentine also finished second in the 200 and 400 at state.
“She’s ahead of last year’s times,” North Sound Christian coach Roger Gray said.
Valentine finished first in the 100 and 400 at the King’s Invite on April 19. The invite featured 27 teams and 675 athletes from Christian schools across the region.
“The King’s Invite is typically tougher than the state meet,” Gray said.
Teammate Lynne Washio also is running well. Washio broke school records in the 800 (2:35.80) and 1,600 (5:38.56) and her times in both events are third overall statewide. Trout Lake’s Neola Putnam and Pateros’ Karissa Carlson are head of Washio in both events.
“The girls she’s chasing are very strong,” Gray said.
Washio finished fourth in the 1,600 and eighth in the 800 at the King’s Invite. As a freshman, Washio finished fourth in the 800 and the 1,600 at state.
The Lions relays, which are composed of Valentine and Washio along with senior Elyse Bunger and junior Alexandra Jenness, should be contenders at state. North Sound Christian has the top time in the 800 relay (1:54.76) and is second statewide in the 400 relay (55.28). The four also should do extremely well in the 1,600 relay, which the Lions have yet to focus on.
Sophomore Catherine Oakland is one of the district’s top discus throwers.
“On the girls side, we’re very strong,” Gray said. “The team should be top three at state.”
North Sound Christian’s boys squad was hit hard with the graduation of eight seniors.
Freshman Dan Hansen has emerged as the Lions’ top distance runner. His time of 5:05.11 is the ninth fastest in the 1,600 statewide.
“He should qualify for state,” Gray said.
Freshman Max Vaughn has shown potential in both hurdle events.
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