Happy Super Bowl Sunday everybody. Whether you are rooting for the Rams or Patriots, or hoping both teams lose, lets not forget we are approximately three weeks away from high school track being back here in the state of Washington. It's time to take a look at the 3A boys athletes to watch for this upcoming track season.
Johan Correa - Kennewick
800, 1,600
Johan Correa has all the great qualities a distance runner can have. The senior from Kennewick used his strength and speed to win the 3A cross country state title last fall running 15:26.4, a lifetime best. In his junior season, Correa was the 3A state champion in the 800 running a personal best of 1:51.51. He also finished in second at state in the 1,600 (4:12.48, PR) behind current Gonzaga runner and Lincoln High School great, James Mwaura. If it were a footrace to the end of any race, I am taking Correa by a longshot.
Bradley Peloquin - Gig Harbor
1,600, 3,200
The Peloquin family running tradition continues on at Gig Harbor. Bradley enters his final year of running for the Tide as the favorite to win the 3A 3,200 meter state crown. Finished second in the 3,200 and fourth in the 1,600 at the state meet last spring. Ran personal best times of 4:14.55 and 9:04.91. Last fall, Peloquin was fourth at the 3A state cross meet running 15:36.5. Brother Tristan runs for Portland and sister Breanna runs for Boise State.
Ryan Child - Kamiakin
1,600, 3,200
If his last name reflects how this athlete runs in track and cross country, you are surely mistaken. Child led the Braves to a dominating state championship performance at the 3A state cross meet last fall as they scored 37 points, beating North Central by double the amount. He placed third running 15:32.9. In his junior track year, Child was third in the 3A 3,200 state race with a time of 9:20.91. Personal best marks are 4:22.5 and 9:14.6. I wouldn't be surprised if Child is accompanied by one or two of his distance teammates at the state track meet. Lots of talent at Kamiakin.
Lucas Lacambra - Edmonds-Woodway
800, 1,600
Lucas Lacambra enters the 2019 track season as a potential top three placer in the 800 at state. Last spring, Lacambra qualified for both the 800 and 1,600 at the state meet. Placed 10th in the 800, but placed eighth in the 1,600 with a personal best time of 4:18.69. His best 800 time his junior season was 1:57.64, a personal best. Wouldn't mind seeing an early matchup between Lacambra and Kennewick's Correa in the 800 at an invite.
Erik Luu - Shorecrest
1,600, 3,200
Erik Luu made the biggest improvement out of the five featured here last from his sophomore season to his junior season. Luu dropped his 1,600 time from 4:31.43 to 4:20.97 and his 3,200 time from 9:45.98 to 9:26.55. Placed seventh in the 3,200 and missed out on making the podium by one spot in the 1,600 at the state track meet last spring.
Others to Watch for:
Porter Grigg - Kamiakin: 10th at the state cross meet last fall. Personal best 1,600 is 4:24.57 and 3,200 is 9:18.39.
Alec Block - Franklin: 11th in the 1,600 and ninth in the 3,200 at the state track meet. Also ran personal best marks in those races, which were 4:23.51 and 9:28.4.
Carlo Ruggiero - Bainbridge: Personal best time is 1:54.89 in the 800, while also placing fourth in the same event at the state track meet.
Stanford Smith - Kamiakin: Finished sixth at the state cross meet last fall. Ran 4:22.29 at the Shoreline Invite in the 1,600.
Grant Christian - Edmonds-Woodway: Ran 1:56.57 in the 800 to finish sixth at the state track meet.