Chiefs gearing up for district meet

YAKIMA - The Chiefs boys track team wrapped up the regular season with a strong performance at the Big 9 meet at Eisenhower High School in Yakima Thursday.

Although Moses Lake placed third out of the three teams competing, the boys turned in some impressive performances, and will be well represented at the district tournament that gets underway May 16 at Eastmont Stadium.

"It was a bittersweet way to end the season," coach Kevin Whittall said. "We finished 1-5 on the year, but we do have guy moving on to the postseason."

Setting the pace for the Chiefs at Zaepfel Stadium in Yakima was Brooks Milbrandt who placed first in the 100-meters, crossing the finish line at 11.44. In the 200 it was Malcolm Ransom taking second with a time of 23.04, and Milbrandt fifth at 23.77. Lowell Kirkwood (2:00.12) was runner-up in the 800, Alek Schweisow (4:38.52) placed third in the 1600, and Dylan Darlington finished third in the 3200 with a time of 10:04.27.

Robert Strophy was the top placer in the 100 hurdles for Moses Lake with a finish time of 17.64. The 4x100 relay team of Colton Rose, Brady Anderson, Jamie Carpenter and Ralph Holt placed fourth at 47.75, and the 400 relay squad of Jordan Scarborough, Carpenter, Holt and Kirkwood came in fourth as well, crossing the line at 3:41.62.

Cory Oldridge (42-05.00) took first in the shot put competition. Rose was third at 41-05.50. Renwil Babcat (119-03) placed third in the discus, and third in the javelin with a throw of 153-02. A throw of 135-07 landed Josh Boyer in fourth place in the event. Oldridge was fifth at 132-00.

In the high jump competition it was Ben Crowell taking first, clearing 6-00.00. He also took first in the long jump with a leap of 20-07.00. Jason Nunez (9-06.00) was third in the pole vault.

"I was sure proud of Renwil who had the best throw of his life in the javelin," Whittall said. "Josh Boyer and Cory Oldridge, who has only thrown the javelin twice, performed well in the event too. Both should sneak into district competition."

The Chiefs are off for the next10 days as they prepare for the postseason tournament that takes place at Eastmont Stadium in East Wenatchee May 16.

The venue moves to Zaepfel Stadium in Yakima May 18.