It seems like it has been forever since I have written something. My apologies, I had basketball coaching to do this past weekend. On the flip side, there are eight days till track is back. Lets have a look at the 2B girls to watch for this season.
Elaina Hansen - Rainier
1,600, 3,200
Elaina Hansen is top a competitor for the 1,600 and 3,200 2B state title. Her junior track season she placed second in the 1,600 and fifth in the 3,200 at the 2B state track meet. Ran a personal best time at the state track meet in 5:26.43, and ran 11:52.32 at the Shelton Invite. In the fall, Hansen finished fourth at the 1B/2B state cross meet running a time of 19:50.2, helping the Mountaineers to a third place team finish. She signed to run for Saint Martin's University next fall and spring.
Carmen Eggleston - Asotin
1,600, 3,200
Despite a sixth place finish in the 1,600 at the 2B state track meet last spring, Carmen Eggleston is the top returning miler at the 2B level with a time of 5:22.51. Eggleston also placed sixth in the 3,200 at the state meet running 12:12.02, but her personal best is 11:55.07. She placed 21st at the 1B/2B state cross meet in the fall. Contributed to Asotin's second place team finish at the 1B/2B state cross meet.
Elena Jensen - Kittitas
1,600, 3,200
Elena Jensen is a young competitor in the making for the Kittitas Coyotes. She is the top returning 3,200 meter runner from last spring with a time of 11:44.7. Jensen finished third in the 1,600 and was the runner-up in the 3,200 at the 2B state track meet in her freshman season. Another athlete who doesn't run cross country in the fall, but still finds ways to have success. We could see a battle between Kittitas' Elena Jenson and Rainier's Elaina Hansen for the 3,200 state crown later on in Cheney.
Ava Shackell - Northwest Christian (Lacey)
800, 1,600, 3,200
Transferring over from Black Hills High School her junior year, Ava Shackell's experience running against bigger schools has helped her out in the long term when running with smaller schools. Shackell qualified for three events at the 2B state track meet in the spring. She was the runner-up in the 800, fourth in the 1,600, and seventh in the 3,200. Ran personal best marks of 2:21.1, 5:28.46, and 12:18.51. Placed 45th at the 1B/2B state cross meet in the fall and was on the fourth place Navigators team too.
Maia Dykstra - Asotin
1,600, 3,200
Rounding up the top five is another Asotin runner, Maia Dykstra. Dykstra finished 11th in the 1,600 and eighth in the 3,200 at the 2B state track meet last spring. Also was on the 4x4 team who placed sixth at the state meet. Her personal best marks are 5:26.72 and 11:55.64. In the fall, Dykstra finished eighth overall at the 1B/2B state cross meet running 20:27.4. A top five finisher for sure in the 3,200 this season at the state meet.
Others to Watch for:
Madison Clark - Wilbur-Creston: Placed third in the 800 and sixth in the 400 at the 2B state track meet last spring. Also on the Wildcats 4x1 and 4x2 teams who placed fifth and fourth at state.
Icel Sukovaty - Liberty Bell: Placed eighth in the 1,600 and third in 3,200 at the 2B state track meet last spring. Finished sixth at the 1B/2B state cross meet and member of Liberty Bell's third consecutive state title.
Meleah Kandoll - Toutle Lake: Placed fifth in the 800 and ninth in the 1,600 at the 1B/2B state track meet last spring.
Kaylee Couder - Crosspoint: Qualified for the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 at the 2B state track meet last spring. 12th in the 800 and 1,600 and 10th in the 3,200.
Liv Aspholm - Liberty Bell: Placed 10th in the 800 and fifth in the 1,600 at the 2B state track meet last spring. Another member of Liberty Bell's cross state title team.