Strong first impressions

Home field advantage served as a springboard for the Washougal Panthers at the sub-district track meet Friday, at Fishback Stadium.

Matt Rotundo put the competition in the triple jump on notice with his first attempt of 42 feet, 6.5 inches. The junior’s new personal best beat everybody else’s jumps by 3.25 inches or better.

“Right when I landed, I knew it was a PR and that it was going to be tough to beat,” Rotundo said. “It felt good to prove myself to the competition cause I haven’t been jumping as high or as far. Just knowing it’s going to be a good day after the first jump, that’s what I look forward to every meet.”

Anna Sharp made her first javelin throw count. It traveled 110-3 to win the event by a foot.

“I felt determined to get my first place spot in league back and make districts. That was my main goal this season,” Sharp said. “It would be so cool to go to state as a freshman.”

Josh Bischoff and Aubrey Kraft finished in first and second place in the discus. Bischoff won with a toss of 145-1. Kraft followed with a throw of 136 feet.

“We’re going to keep pushing each other so we can make it to state together,” Bischoff said.

Kraft also took second place in the shot put with a personal best mark of 48-9.5. His goal is to throw it 50 feet.

Bischoff and Kraft feel their potential in the ring is limitless.

“It’s exciting for both of us being juniors and having senior year to come back to,” Kraft said. “We have an open gateway.”

Courtney Owens earned second place in the 1,600-meter run (5 minutes, 38.03 seconds). She snared third place in the 3,200 with a personal best time of 12:00.19. She also anchored Hailey Howell, Rebecca Shilling and Hannah Lintala to fourth place in the 1,600 relay (4:26.44).

Morgan Rodgers grabbed second place in the girls shot put (32-6.5) and third place in the discus (103-3). Lintala took third place in the 800 (2:30.61) and helped the Panthers finish fourth in the 1,600 relay. Christina Murray clinched third place on the pole vault (9-0). Stacey Cuff leaped to third place in the triple jump (30-3.5).

Christian Mishler claimed fourth place in the boys 300 hurdles with a personal best time of 44.03 seconds. Aiden Pullen placed fourth in the 3,200 with a personal best time of 10:03.30. Austin McLoughlin took fourth place in the 400 (59.49). Bischoff snatched fifth place in the shot put (45-1.5). Levi McDonald notched fifth in the high jump (5-4). Jacob Bowen secured fifth on the pole vault (11-0).

Shae Alder, Brooklyn Bailey, Madelyn Ault and Hayden Mason earned third place in the 800 relay (2:02.41). Howell, Brooklyn Wertz, Shilling and Sharp finished fourth in the 400 relay (55.73). Paige Moore snagged seventh place in the high jump (4-6).

All of these Panthers are on their way to the district track and field meet Friday, at Ridgefield High School. The top three placers in each event will qualify for state.