Shoreline 2011 Boys Track and Field Preview

Team: Knights

League: 1A Cascade

Coach: Daunte Gouge (11th year as head coach)

Key Returners: Sr. Curtis Clauson, javelin/110 hurdles/300 hurdles/long jump/triple jump; Jr. Hap Emmons, 800/1600/3200; Sr. Slater Hirst, javelin/4x100/high jump

Impact Newcomers: Fr. Jon Fuller, 400; Fr. Hunter Bryson, 1600/3200

A Look Back: The Knights won their 12th consecutive league and district titles before going on to take their 5th state championship in 6 years.

The team’s success at state was in large part due to Curtis Clauson’s four first place finishes in the javelin, 300 hurdles, long jump, and triple jump. His wins accounted for 40 of the team’s 74 points.

2011 Outlook: Clauson continues to crush the competition and is tied for the national lead in the javelin.

However, the Knights are far from a one-man show. Seniors Parker Browning, Win Lessley, and sophomore Mason Friedline have been at or near the top of the pack in shot put and discus so far this season, while junior Hap Emmons continues to dominate long-distance events.

King’s has a deep, experienced team with heaps of talent and are sure favorites for a five-peat at state.

Top Meets: King’s Invitational, Saturday April 16, Wooley Stadium, King’s High School; Viking Relays, Saturday April 23, Curtis High School, University Place



Team: Scots

League: 3A WesCo

Coach: Brandon Christensen

Key Returners: Jr. Adrian Monroe, Sr. Chris Uchytil, Soph. Keegan Lockler, Sr. Sean Dever, 4x100 relay; Sr. Dillon Baker, hurdles; Soph. Carter Osborne, 800/1600

Impact Newcomers: Fr. Aaron Kelly, hurdles/jumps

A Look Back: The Scots men took third in WesCo last season and earned a second place finish in the Northwest District 1 meet.

The 4x100 relay team took 11th in state competition, and returns all its members this year.

2011 Outlook: An experienced squad with some promising new blood, the team as a whole most likely lacks the depth to go far in state. Returning all the members of last year’s state finisher, the 4x100 team looks to make the trip down I-5 to Tacoma again this season.

Senior Sean Dever of the 4x100 is also a long jumper and is the current 3A leader at 22’-4.5”. He hopes to make runs both at the state title and the school record.

Senior captain Connor Wingo looks to cap a remarkable comeback from a devastating football injury by making it to state in the discus after just missing out in the 2010 campaign.

Top Meets: Eason Invitational, Saturday April 16, Snohomish High School; Shoreline Invitational, Saturday April 30, Shoreline Stadium




Team: Thunderbirds

League: 3A WesCo

Coach: Lance Neubauer (4th year as head coach)

Key Returners: Jr. Niko Frazier, sprints/triple jump; Jr. Hayden Loch, 300/400; Sr. Nick Vincent, 100/200

Impact Newcomers: Fr. Andrew Garrison, long sprints; Sr. Kevin Law, long jump/triple jump; Sr. Eric Schreifer, javelin

A Look Back: The Thunderbirds relays performed well last year, with the 4x400 earning a state nod and the 4x100 placing 7th.

As a team, Coach Neubauer’s boys took 5th in the WesCo South championships.

2011 Outlook: Shorewood returns only Nick Vincent and alternate David Fan from last year’s successful 4x100 team, but they’ve picked up right where they left off, as of April 1st ranked 9th in the 3A Top 25.

Early in the season, key contributions have come from 1st-year varsity upperclassmen who for various reasons (other sports, eligibility after transferring) are just now earning their track stripes. Senior Eric Schreifer took first in javelin at the March 31 Edmonds-Woodway meet, while senior Kevin Law has performed well in long jump.

Optimistic for the boys' chances, Coach Neubauer said, “[We’ll] surprise some folks this year.”

Top Meets: Birger Solberg Invitation, Saturday April 9, Civic Stadium, Bellingham; Shoreline Invitational, Saturday April 30, Shoreline Stadium



Team: Crusaders

League: 1A/2B Northwest Conference

Coach: Tim Visser (6th year as head coach)

Key Returners: Jr. Joshua Ruiter, 800/4x400; Jr. Castle Bonner, 800/4x400; Soph. Colin Webb, shot put/discus

Impact Newcomers: Fr. James Webber, 1600; Fr. Caleb Bonner, 200/400/discus/javelin

A Look Back: A small squad of mostly underclassmen, the Crusaders had some individual successes in the Northwest A/B league.

Lone senior Taylor Hoekzema placed third in the 400 in the 1B/2B district championships, while Joshua Ruiter eeked out teammate Castle Bonner for fourth place in the 800 in the same event.

2011 Outlook: With just a couple meets under their belts, Ruiter and Bonner continue to run well this season, both individually and as members of the 4x400 relay.

Coach Visser is especially proud of the group’s “wonderful work ethic,” one that will help his young team continue to improve throughout the season.

Top Meets: King’s Invitational, Saturday April 16, Woolsey Stadium, King’s High School; BCS Invite, Saturday April 30, Sammamish High School, Bellevue