The unknowns make themselves known
Moses Lake sends five underdogs to the regional track tournament
There is no superstar amongst the athletes representing Moses Lake at the Big Nine/GSL regional track meet.
Just a lot of determination and personal goals.
"They are more diverse group of kids and in more events," Moses Lake track coach Nikki Weiland said.
There are no record-holders and state tournament experience. Just one senior, and no girls. The Chiefs' have sent five to represent against the best eastern Washington has to offer in David Moore, Aaron Wafer, Chris Andrews, Kevin Jackson and Kraig Grant.
While three out of the five have been to the regional tournament, the hope is still put on a good show. Moore, javelin thrower for Moses Lake, has spent his first year in track, let alone throwing a javelin.
Looking for something to do during the football offseason, Moore found a talent he never knew he had.
"I just came out here to find something to do between football and I thought I could throw the javelin," Moore said. "I went out with John Wagner and Kelly Jackson and knew I had some potential and Wagner started working with me."
Moore won the Ray Cross Invite, picked up medals and ribbons at other tournaments along the way and finished sixth at the state tournament with a personal best 162-03. Not what he was expecting.
Especially when he takes three steps to throw the javelin when his competition takes a running start.
"I started out and thought junior varsity champ, but here I am heading to regionals and hopefully to state," Moore said. "We are working so hard and I am hoping I do good."
Wafer started the season as the freshman phenom that ran his way to the top of the ranks of the Big Nine in the 100- and 200-meter dash. Then, a bad left hip at the end of the season and into the district track meet, slowed the runner from a personal best 11.03 second time in the 100, to an 11.34 district meet time.
An injury, Weiland said was evident in the race.
"You could tell when he did the 100, he was last from the blocks and spent the rest of the time playing catch-up," Weiland added.
As a freshman, Wafer has all the tools to make the state tournament, but said the injury will play a big role in his postseason continuation.
"When I sprint it puts pressure on me and I can't run as fast," Wafer said.
Weiland said Andrews has the best chance of escaping the regional tournament and into the state.
Andrews finished fourth in the high jump, clearing six feet, but needs to compete against 10 other high jumpers for a spot at the state tournament, eight of those also qualifying with a six foot jump.
"I think I have a chance to make state and I hope I make it," Andrews said and added that he should clear 6-02 at the meet.
For senior Kevin Jackson, the 400-meter dash has been his ticket into the regional tournament and his ticket out of it in the regional preliminaries. His final season on the high school track sets a bigger personal stage and motivation.
"I just want to keep on going, I was eliminated last year in the preliminaries and I want to do better this year," Jackson said.
His fifth-place finish in the 400-meter dash at districts left him in the 11th position out of 16 runners and 3.10 second off Robert Davis of Ferris High School for the fastest time heading into the meet.
Changes in his personal workout from long distance running to speed endurance, put Jackson in a position to reach his own goals.
"I don't have anything to be afraid of," Jackson said. "I have seen these guys last year and I am going to go out there and give it all I have."
Grant's drive goes back to when his father was a track and field athlete at Moses Lake and set the pole vault record, only to have it beaten by Ivan Baker in 1997. From the start of his freshman year last year, Grant has been on the pursuit to return the record back to the family, even if it takes him to the state tournament along the way.
His motivation is simple: "Trying to get the record that my dad held before."
And his dad helps him make that goal a reality.
"He tells me what I need to do and how I need to do it," Grant added.
Whatever happens on Friday and Saturday, Moses Lake track coach Nikki Weiland has liked what she has seen out of her underclassmen and can feel the rise in competition growing in the track team.
While there are no guarantees like last year's Danny Lawson in the discus, there is hope from any of the five competitors stepping onto the field or the track.
"I think at this meet, it all depends on who is on," Weiland said. "With David, it all depends on how he throws and he is on to state. Chris has the best shot of all of them at making it to state, but it all depends on how he starts."