Chiefs depart for regional meet

Tony Vehrs/Columbia Basin Herald<br>Regional participants from the Moses Lake track team will compete this weekend in Richland for a trip to the state track meet. Top Row, From L to R: Amy Alporque, Tad Harman, Kraig Grant, Billy Matthews, Ann Noyes.<br>Bottom Row: Betty Olson, Aaron Wafer.

by Tony Vehrs<br>Herald Staff Writer
| May 19, 2006 9:00 PM

MOSES LAKE — After a successful district meet, seven Chief track and field athletes will be competing in this weekend's regional track meet with the hopes of earning a trip to the state meet. This weekend's event, being held at Richland High School, brings together some of the top athletes in eastern Washington.

Expected to make a return to the state meet is sprinter Aaron Wafer, who has qualified for regionals in the 100-meter dash, the 200 dash, the 400 dash and the long jump. Wafer is the number-one seed in each of the sprints, and is seeded third in the long jump. The top three finishers, plus any athletes who make automatic state qualifying marks in their event finals, will earn entrance to the state meet.

Wafer ran all three sprints at the 2005 state meet, but did not make the finals in any of the events. However, Wafer's 2006 season-best time of 10.92 in the 100 dash is better than the 11.06 run that won the state meet last year.

When asked about the pressure of being seeded first in three events, Wafer seemed unconcerned.

"I don't worry about it too much," said the Moses Lake sprinter. "I just run and do my thing."

Also hoping for a return trip to state is pole vaulter Kraig Grant. After a fall a few weeks ago at a meet in Ellensburg, Grant has been cautiously resting his body to prepare for the regional and state meets.

Grant made a regional qualifying vault of 13-0 at districts, then decided to forego his remaining vaults to give his injured back a bit more rest. Grant is now back to 100 percent and looking forward to the regional meet.

"I'm fine," Grant said of his health. "Having a lot of time off was good."

Sophomore Ann Noyes will compete in the triple jump, 100 hurdles and 400 dash at the regional meet. While her best event was the 400 dash last year, she now lists the triple jump as her favorite.

"It's my first year and I've really excelled at it," said Noyes, who earlier this season set a new school record in the event.

Joining Noyes in the 100 hurdles will be Amy Alporque. The Chief senior competed in many events during the season, but said the challenge of the 100 hurdles is why she enjoys running them.

Billy Matthews and Tad Harman will both be competing in the discus at regionals. The two have battled back-and-forth throughout the season for top honors at various meets, each getting the best of the other at times. When asked about this, both athletes explained that they found it fun to have a teammate to compete against. Matthews has the better season-high throw of the two, and believes he has what it takes to make the state meet this year.

"If I keep being consistent, I have a chance," said Matthews when asked about the upcoming challenge at the regional meet.

Moses Lake's other regional participant will be Betty Olson, who qualified in the discus. Not expected to make it through districts, Olson is happy to have the opportunity to try for the state meet.

"It was a shock I made it," said Olson of her qualification for regionals. "It is a good opportunity, there's not really that much pressure."

Coaches Nicki Weiland and Jennifer Carpenter have been tapering the intensity of practices in order to keep their athletes fresh for the regional meet.

"The intensity has gone down," said Weiland of the practice regimen. "We need to focus on little things; starts, technique."

While not all seven Chiefs will likely make it through to state, Carpenter has reminded her athletes that each has a great opportunity if they give their best effort.

"It doesn't matter what you've done before," said Carpenter of the post-season. "You never know what can happen on a particular day."