All-Island run in the sun – 35th annual – Elementary track meet tradition goes to Lakeridge

Published 5:49 pm Monday, November 24, 2008

By Matt Phelps

One event signals the end of the school year like no other for the fourth and fifth graders on the Island: the All-Island Track Meet.

Friday, Lakeridge Elementary School came out ahead on the scoreboard with 306 points at the Mercer Island High School Stadium, followed by West Mercer (277) and Island Park (185) elementary schools. But anyone who attended the event came away a winner.

The meet is co-sponsored by the Mercer Island Parks and Recreation Department and the Mercer Island Rotary Club. Lakeridge also won the spirit award.

“It is a really good experience in a sporting environment for these kids,” said Mercer Island Parks and Recreation coordinator Jennifer Cusick. “A lot of kids don’t know that they have these skills.”

Those skills include everything from throwing to jumping to running, as well as screaming at the top of their lungs to encourage teammates to do their best and have a good time.

“I want them to have a great time and show good sportsmanship,” said West Mercer head coach Casey Alin.

The coaches for each team are also the respective school’s physical education teachers. Island Park’s coach was Jesse Jaramillo, and the Lakeridge coach was Mellisa Ralph. Unlike years past, weather wasn’t much of a factor for the coaches to worry about. Last year the temperatures were in the low 90s, making for concerning conditions. This year, the low 70s and light breeze made for an enjoyable experience.

“I was a little worried since it rained this morning but it turned out to be a nice day,” said Jaramillo.

Two records were broken on the girls side of the meet.

The fourth-grade shot put was heaved 7.25 meters by Christina Williamson from Island Park. The previous record of 7.05 meters was set in 2003.

The other record that was broken was just two years old as well. West Mercer’s Sarah Welsh ran the girls fifth-grade 50-meter dash in six seconds flat.

“I just let it loose and ran as hard as I could,” said Welsh. “I just like wining for my team and having fun.”

The previous record was 6.89 seconds. Right behind Welsh was Emily Kim of Lakeridge, who also broke the old record, but took second with a time of 6.01.

Welsh was also first in the 100-meter dash (14.56) and the 400 meters (1:12.53).

Lakeridge’s Jordan Morris won the boys 50 for fourth-grade with a time of 7.77, while the fifth-grade boys 50 was won by Nick Boyce of West Mercer (7.32). Morris also won the 100-meter dash (14.40) and the 200 meters (31.26) Boyce took first in the 100-meter dash (13.20) and the 400 meters (1:08.00) as well.

Christina Doctor of Island Park took first in the girls fourth-grade 50-meter dash with a time of 7.70. Doctor also took first in the 100-meter dash (15.61) and the 200 meters (31.67).

Courtney Hummel, Jamie Lungmus, Ashley Larson and Brooks Hamilton won the 4X100 meter relay for fourth-grade for Lakeridge, as they crossed the finish line in a time of 1:04.61. Island Park’s Molly Goldberg, Parker Scott, Lauren Knebel and Erik Hermanns took the fifth-grade title (1:01.59).

“I wasn’t here yet for this so I feel like I missed out,” said Mercer Island High School graduate John Dixon, who helped out with the meet. “I want this experience to be fun for them. It is a chance for them to develop their athletic skills.”

Jumping events

In the standing long-jump, fourth-grader Lottie Macaully of West Mercer jumped a distance of 1.94 meters for first place, while Logan Barton-Rowledge of Lakeridge was first for fourth-grade boys with a distance of 1.95 meters. Lakeridge’s Heidi Black was first for fifth-grade girls (2.03 meters) and Eric Stefancik of Lakeridge took first for the boys (1.97 meters).

Throwing events

Williamson took first for fourth-grade girls in the softball throw with a distance of 27.88 meters. Barton-Rowledge took first for fourth grade (38.88 meters).

“I think we have more people this year that can do better,” said Lakeridge Lion Jeff Lindquist, who is a fifth-grader. “We have some new guys but everyone is participating.”

Lindquist helped his team by taking first in the fifth-grade softball throw with a distance of 49.78 meters.

Spencer Dillon of West Mercer took first in the fourth-grade boys shot put with a distance of 7.20 meters and the fifth grade girls winner was Heidi Black of Lakeridge (7.96 meters). The fifth grade boys winner was Connor Creswell of Lakeridge (9.64 meters).