Returning athletes look to make strides for Lions track season

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions are preparing to get their track and field season underway. After the successes from last season, Head Coach Dan Bishop said there is a group of returning athletes who are ready to make a name for themselves.  

“We’ve got several state veterans that were really good athletes (last season) and several that are just starting out and trying to find their way and decide which events are going to work out for them,” said Bishop. “We have a good mix of veterans and beginners.” 

Last year, he said the Lions sent seven of their athletes to the state tournament. Returning junior Amelia Shopbell made it onto the podium by earning sixth in javelin with a throw of 101 feet, 4 inches (30.89 meters).  

“Coming into the season, she’s one of the best javelin throwers in our district; she throws over 100. She’s the current school record holder in that and also in the 200-meter, so she’s a very solid athlete,” said Bishop. 

Another junior who had great success last season is Ben Bishop, who qualified for both the 400-meter and the 3200-meter. Ben finished with a time of 57.06 in the 400 and 11:45.34 in the 3200. 

MLCA/CCS has strong group of returning seniors this season with Brynlynn King, James Robertson and Ethan Ramsey, all of whom qualified for state last spring.  

King qualified for the 2025 state tournament by finishing her district competition running the qualifying time and went on to finish 15th in the 3200-meter at state. 

“Brynlynn King has been a really consistent competitor throughout the years,” said Bishop. 

Robertson, who is the school record holder in shotput, finished ninth in the state event. Ramsey finished first in the ambulatory javelin and ambulatory 100-meter and 200-meter events. 

The Lions have a total roster of 31 athletes this season. 

“We have a lot of younger (athletes) that are stepping up and are going to be challenging our older athletes for times and distances,” said Bishop. 

The first week of practice was slow since many of the athletes were either playing for or supporting the Lions boys basketball team in Spokane during the state tournament. With state basketball concluded, Bishop said the team is in full swing to begin their spring training.

One thing that stuck out to the coach during early-season practices, for the athletes who have been able to participate, is the strong level of skill being displayed by the returners.  

“I’m really pleased with them and I’m hoping they stand out as student leaders along with their other teammates to help the younger guys and gals along so that they get some good examples on how to work,” he said. 

The point of emphasis for MLCA/CCS this season is to have each of the athletes pushing for new personal records in their events, said the coach. During the early season meets he wants the Lions to be participating in four events so they are more likely to find out where they perform well and develop their strengths based on that. 

“We really want the team to be individually chasing as many PRs as they can possibly get and that’s one of the things I’m going to encourage,” said Bishop.  

The Lions’ first meet of the season will be at the Ephrata Ice Breaker Invitational on March 17. 

    Lions senior James Robertson works on dumbbell benches in the weight room as he gets ready for the track and field season. Robertson said he will be focused on throwing events this season.
  

    Elijah Aragon from MLCA/CCS jogs along the grass during warm-ups during practice.
  

    MLCA/CCS Track and Field Head Coach Dan Bishop instructs a group of Lions athletes in the weight room ahead of a training session. Bishop said the main goal this season is for the athletes to set as many PRs as possible.