Washougal boys track team leaves Ridgefield in the dust

Aubrey Kraft beat Josh Bischoff on his last shot put toss of the day.

Both Washougal High School seniors threw personal bests in the first meet of the season at Fishback Stadium. Bischoff led with a distance of 48 feet, 5.5 inches until Kraft fired the shot put 52 feet.

“I was a few inches ahead of him the entire way, but he always pulls through in the end,” Bischoff said. “We’re pushing each other to get better.”

Kraft is thrilled to be throwing his favorite toys again after pulling his MCL during the first football game and missing the rest of the fall season.

“I can’t complain. I’m third all-time in school history,” Kraft said. “Just one more season. This is what all the hard work has been for.”

Bischoff defeated his good buddy in the discus ring. He won the event with a toss of 153 feet, 3 inches. Kraft took second place with a 139-11.

The Washougal boys track and field team beat Ridgefield 94-51 Thursday. Matt Rotundo earned first place in the 110-meter hurdles with a personal best time of 15.73 seconds. He also won the triple jump with a leap of 42 feet.

Donaeld Holbert finished in first place in the 400 run (53.99). He also helped Washougal win the 400 (46.61) and 1,600 (3:52.3) relay races.

Justin Snodgrass grabbed first place in the 100 dash (11.74). Christian Mishler clinched first place in the 300 hurdles (44.84). Nathan Tofell notched first place in the javelin (145-5), Levi McDonald earned first place in the high jump (5-8) and James West took first place on the pole vault (11 feet).

The Washougal girls couldn’t catch up to Ridgefield, despite the all-around effort of Rae Ann Allen. She anchored the 800 (2:01.75) and the 1,600 (4:41.8) relay teams to victory. She also snagged second place in the 100 dash (13.72).

Allen did not run track for the Panthers while she was a sophomore and junior in order to concentrate on basketball. She promised her coaches she would be back for her senior year.

“In track, you have to be able to run as fast as you can for as long as you can,” Allen said. “It’s a totally different than basketball and I love it.”

Kiertsen De La Rocha earned first place for Washougal in the discus (89-11) and shot put (28-8.5). Laura Dills claimed first place in the high jump (4-4) and second place in the 300 hurdles (58.38). Christina Murray soared to first place on the pole vault (9-6) and Alexis Maniscaclo won the 400 run (1:08.82).