Mercer Island track team heads to state

The Mercer Island boys and girls track teams competed last week in the 3A SeaKing District championships, looking for spots at this week’s state competition in Tacoma.

The Islander boys team finished 10th overall with 16 points, while the girls finished ninth with 33 points.

Head coach Lezley Smith said the team did very well, especially after a strong KingCo meet.

"It went really well," said Smith. "The KingCo meet exceeded our expectations."

On the girls team both Carley Andersen and Lauren Ellis qualified for the state meet in the javelin competition. Andersen finished in second last week with a throw of 113 feet and 1 inch, while Ellis took third with a toss of 101’6. Kelly Besmer of Mount Si High School took first place with a throw of 135’4. Cora Miller finished second in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 46.86 seconds to qualify for state. Molly O’Callahan finished the 3,200-meter race in 11:42.82 for third place to advance to the state meet.

In the boys competition, Aaron Elefson finished third in the 3,200-meter race with a time of 9:26.3 to qualify for state. The top four placers at the district meet moved on to this week’s state competition.

"The kids learned that anything's possible," said Smith of the season. "They gave 110 percent and some performed through injuries. They might not have finished where they wanted but they still came out. For all the underclassmen, we're excited for next year."

The state track and field meet will take place at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma starting on Thursday, May 27.

3A SeaKing District Track and Field meet

Boys results: 600 meters – 7, Aaron Elefson 4:32.24. 3,200 meters – 3, Aaron Elefson 9:26.3. 4x400 relay – 6, Mercer Island (Colin Strong, Kurtis Rosengreen, Aaron Azose, Jeff Lindquist, Brett Mills) 3:31.59. 4x100 relay – 7, Mercer Island (Aaron Azose, Jeff Lindquist, Reid Jackson, Kurtis Rosengreen). Javelin – 7, Kennan Adams 140'10. Long jump – 6, Nicholas Sinclair 20'04; 10, Reid Jackson 19'11.

Girls results: 100 meters – 7, Laura Harrison 13.33. 3,200 meters – 3, Molly O'Callahan 11:42.82. 100 meter hurdles – 7, Cora MIller 16.11. 300 meter hurdles – 2, Cora MIller 46.86. 4x100 relay – 6, Mercer Island (Laura Harrison, Cora Miller, Jordan Peralta, Nicole Walden) 50.81. 4x200 relay – 9, Mercer Island (Laura Harrison, Nicole Walden, Madeline Oaks, Julia Davis). 4x400 relay – 9, Mercer Island (Cora Miller, Laura Harrison, Julia Davis, Jordan Peralta). Discus – 5, Carly Andersen 91'06. Javelin – 2, Carly Andersen 113'01; 3, Lauren Ellis 101'06. Long jump – 11, Queen Opoku 14'01.

Contact Mercer Island Reporter Reporter Megan Managan at mmanagan@mi-reporter.com or (206) 232-1215 ext. 5054.

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