Several Evergreen Storm athletes from Camas and Washougal qualified for the USATF Junior Olympic Track and Field National Championships July 22 to 28, at the North Carolina A&T University, in Greensboro.
A team record 33 medals led the Storm to third place at the regional championship meet Saturday and Sunday, at Chief Self High School, in Seattle.
“Most of these kids had never been in a meet this big before. There were smiles all around,” said club president Scott Slamp. “Once these kids learn how to respond to the high level of competition, they learn what they need to do in order to reach their goals and achieve their dreams.”
Recent Camas High School graduate Grayson Anderson racked up 5,645 points for third place in the 17-18 boys decathlon. He took first place in the 100-meter dash (11.55 seconds), first in the 400 (51.27), first in the high jump (6 feet, 5 inches), second in the long jump (19-8.25), third in the javelin (149-9), fifth in the discus (93-11), sixth in the 110 hurdles (17.22), seventh in the pole vault (7-2.5) and eighth in the shot put (34-5).
“Grayson was the first one from our team to do a decathlon. We’re really proud of him,” Slamp said. “I hope this will lead toward a college scholarship. He’s going to be a great decathlete. He’s got the build for it.”
Washougal’s Gabe Dinnel grabbed second place in the 11-12 boys 3,000 (10:42.52). Emily Wilson, of Camas, earned third place in the girls 13-14 3,000 (11:03.04) and fifth place in the 1,500 (5:04.53). Wilson, Serena Smith, Jenna Efraimson and Kaylee Merritt took second place in the 3,200 relay (10:32.09). All of these girls, except Smith, attend Skyridge Middle School.
Jared Tracy snagged second place in the 13-14 boys shot put (48-2.75). Will Sun snatched third place in the 100 hurdles (17.24) and fourth place in the 200 dash (29.07). Nkemdilim Day (Aduka) finished in fifth place in the 15-16 girls shot put (29-9). Tracy and Sun attend Skyridge, while Day goes to Liberty.
Ryan Gunther anchored the Storm’s 400 relay team to third place (43.88). He also helped the Storm secure second place in the 1,600 relay (3:30.52). Tamaka Murata took fifth place in the 100 hurdles (17 seconds). Gunther and Murata will be juniors at CHS in the fall.
