Panthers finish third at Kalama Invitational

Isaac Stinchfield was twice as fast Friday night at the Kalama Invitational.

After setting new personal best times in the mile and the two mile runs, the Washougal High School junior jumped right into the 1,600-meter relay race to complete the trifecta. Stinchfield won the mile in 4 minutes, 28.46 seconds and took third in the two mile in 9:54.

“After the mile, I didn’t think I would have anything left,” he said. “To be able to come back and still get a 12-second PR in the two mile is just mind-boggling.

“I feel amazing right now,” Stinchfield added. “Just the energy that I have. I want to keep running and get as many points for the team as possible. It’s just a rush and I want to keep it going.”

Stinchfield’s effort and enthusiasm rubbed off on his Washougal teammates. The Panther boys and girls both finished in third place at the 16-school meet.

“After watching what Isaac did in the mile, I felt like I could do anything,” said Sean Eustis. “It was a ‘top of the world’ kind of feeling.”

Eustis earned first in the 3,200 run with a time of 9:41.02.

“Going into that two mile, I knew I was going to win it. There was not one time out there where I didn’t feel like this was my race,” Eustis said. “For me to get a gold medal for my team and for Isaac to come back and get third after running that mile was just a really good feeling. We both wanted to put Washougal on the map again.”

Katie Wright clinched first in the high jump and second in the long jump. The senior leaped 16 feet, 5.5 inches in the long jump for the first time since she was a freshman. She won the high jump with a mark of 5-0.25. Wright, Kristen Graham, Kaitlyn Johnson and Kari Johnson grabbed second in the 400 relay (53.21).

“There was definitely some good competition here. A lot of great athletes and schools,” Wright said. “To be able to get first and second in this kind of competition feels very accomplishing. I heard quite a few Washougal names getting the top places. It’s nice to hear that.”

Isaac Bischoff and Joe Harris rose to the top of the field with personal best throws in the discus. Bischoff won with a toss of 149-2 and Harris was second at 145-8.

“I like to think both of those guys are bringing out the best in each other,” said head coach Dave Hajek.

Bischoff also took second in the shot put (46-8.5). Harris snagged third in the 110 hurdles (15.3), fourth in the high jump (5-4) and eighth in the triple jump (37-6). Jesse Reagen was also fourth in high jump (5-4) and Adam Thomas finished fourth on the pole vault (11-6).

Kaitlyn Johnson snatched second in the triple jump (32-4.25) and fourth in the 100 (13.48). Kari Johnson notched fourth in the 110 hurdles (17.74) and sixth in the 300 hurdles (53.88). Michelle Greear grabbed fifth in the discus (99 feet) and seventh in the shot put (31-2). Kayla Lockard (8 feet) took fourth and Page Wade (7-6) followed in sixth on the pole vault. Mackenzie Pfeifer placed sixth in the javelin (99-6).

Washougal hosts R.A. Long for a league meet today. Battle Ground, Centralia, Fort Vancouver, Hockinson, Mark Morris, R.A. Long and Union high schools will be coming to Washougal Friday for the Panther Twilight meet. Both meets begin at 3:30 p.m.

“[The Panther Twilight] is a great community event,” Hajek said. “It’s a chance for every one to see all the athletes in a competitive and relaxed atmosphere. I hope to see a lot of people at Fishback Stadium Friday supporting our athletes.”