Washington State Meet 2009

Washington State Meet 2009 at Mt Tahoma

May 28. 2009 - 3200 Races

With Mt. Rainier looming in the background Washington’s distance runners had a fine day, as the State Meet returned to the western side of the Cascades. In preparation for the meet the Tacoma News Tribune posted a very fine preview for the meet yet somewhat inexplicably overlooked Central Kitsap’s Shane Moskowitz as an athlete to watch. Shane’s performance on Thursday made sure that everyone stand up and take a good long look. Running comfortably & barely breathing hard at the end, the All-American at cross country became the first 4A runner since Michael Kiter in 2001 to break the nine minute barrier with a winning time of 8:5953.

The race certainly did not start as if young Shane was going to dominate, because Adam Thorne of Ferris rocketed away as if he would broach no challengers, He zipped through a first lap in a rather stunning 63 seconds and then rolled through the 800 M in 2:09. He had such a commanding lead that the question was posed "Is this kid for real?" to which one of the Washington coaches answered "he’s for real but not that real!". Still he powered through the 1600 M with a strong time of 4:30 & fans were saying, whoever is going to catch him had better get going. Almost in answer Shane began to make his move. It was gradual at first and almost imperceptible, but soon he began cutting away at the lead. Gig Harbor’s Conner Peloquin moved with him just off his shoulder and soon the race appeared to be between those two as well as Kevin Rosaaen of Woodrow Wilson.

By the 2000 meter mark Moskowitz had assumed the lead & from that point onward he began to really assert himself. Flowing smoothly yet strongly he drew away from Peloquin & Rosaaen as they were left to battle for second place. Shane crossed the finish line & soon exclaimed "I felt great" and judging from his ease in breathing he had been well within himself. Still his time was an excellent one and can only make one wonder what the future holds in store. While Shane took it all in happily with a sense of both wonderment & accomplishment, it was a thrill to watch his sister Shannon jump up & down on the backstretch as she realized her brother was on his way to the victory stand.

The earlier boys’ 3A race saw a large pack duel for the early lead with no real leader. The 2:18 800 meter mark still saw a phalanx of runners chomping at the bit. The titular leaders at this point were North Central’s Andrew Kimpel & Ben Johnston, while Nathan Weitz of Shadle Park ran just off their shoulder. Drew O’ Donaghue-McDonald of Seattle Prep loomed just behind the leaders but his fitness had been compromised by a stress fracture, so he had been barely able to run during the last few weeks. The junior happily will have other days but today his problems limited him. During the last few laps the race was down to just the trio but a glimpse at Kimpel’s face, as he began the final lap let fans know that he was confident of victory. It would be his day as he won going away with a time of 9:08.39. Johnston, his team mate, finished 2nd & Weitz claimed 3rd. Drew held on to finish just ahead of Charlie McDonald, also from Seattle Prep.

Kevin Aubol of Ellensburg annexed the 2A title in a time of 9:32.45. He broke up the race by the 1600 meter mark & from there steadily opened a gap. He left no doubts at the end as he flew home in last lap of a swift 60 seconds. His comment at the split was "sweet", which said it all.

The girls in the 4A race appeared to be toss up between the three favorites Sarah Lord of Redmond, Annie Dear of Olympia & Chloe Treleven of Curtis by A C Davis’ Sandra Martinez had little use for the form sheet as she was the one who pressed the pace. Her efforts quickly dispatched most of the challengers leaving the four aforementioned runners vying for the lead. The lap times were 79, 2:34 & 3:59 for the leaders who had separated themselves from a second pack composed of Alison Ponce, Minna Fields, Priscilla Timmons & Breanna Huschka. The leaders reached the 2K in 8:10 but a 79 second 400 meters found Annie Dear struggling to keep up the pace. Chloe Treleven took the lead with little more than a lap to go but Sarah Lord to command thereafter & pulled away to win by seven seconds in a time of 10:30.47. Annie Dear followed Martinez to place 4th & Alison Ponce placed 6th. Minna Fields earned 6th, while late in the race Breanna Huschka justed edged the lean of Priscilla Timmons as both earned a place on the medal stand.

Carey Parker of Seattle Prep won the 3A race in a time of 11:00.51 defeating Theresa Edwards of Bonney Lake. Sarah Bobbe of Columbia River scored a third place medal. Shannon Porter of Hockinson, who will run for Boise State next fall, ran 11:12.41 to claim the State title in that division. Coming in second was Mimi Krieger of Sehome who also had to battle back problems earlier in the season, so it was a fine showing for her as well. Lacey Nation of Lakewood finished 3rd - a second behind Krieger & Sammi Blodgett of Wapato claimed 4th.