Panthers clinch fourth in Kalama

A shorthanded Washougal High School boys track and field team finished in fourth place at the Kalama Invitational Friday.

Throwers Josh Bischoff and Aubrey Kraft competed at the Centennial Invitational Saturday, in Gresham, Oregon. Bischoff grabbed third place in the discus (151 feet, 1 inch) and Kraft clinched fifth place in the shot put (51-4).

“They are both really good athletes, but we have a lot of good athletes,” said head coach Dave Hajek. “I’m excited about the depth we have.”

Washougal still got enough production from its runners and jumpers to stay in the middle of the pack in Kalama.

Gabriel Dinnel earned second place in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 10 minutes, 24.58 seconds. Aiden Pullen placed third in the 800 (2:03.82) and Troy Prince-Butterfiled followed in fourth place (2:04.13).

Matt Rotundo snagged second place in the 110 hurdles with a time of 15.76. He also took third in the triple jump with a leap of 41-7 inches.

Austin McLoughlin claimed second place in the long jump (19-3.5) and eighth place in the 400 (53.89). Christian Mischler finished fifth in the 300 hurdles (43.97), Nathan Tofell notched fifth in the javelin (155-2).

RaeAnn Allen clinched third place for the Panther girls in the 400 (1:05.13), Christina Murray earned third place in the pole vault (9-6) and Amelia Pullen placed fifth in the 3,200 (13:17.17).

The Panther Twilight track and field meet starts at 3:30 p.m. Friday, at Fishback Stadium.

Centralia, Columbia (White Salmon), Mark Morris, R.A. Long, Stevenson and W.F. West (Chehalis) high schools will join Washougal in this annual hometown invitational.

Hajek said Washougal parents, graduates and staff members have been running the Panther Twilight meet since it started in the early 2000s.

“It’s a lot of work for our community, but it’s worth it,” Hajek said. “To get the results you want, you got to get better competition. It’s all about giving the kids an opportunity to get better.”