Track: Narrows' meet highlights South Kitsap relays
By CHRIS CHANCELLOR
Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer
May 12, 2012 · 11:38 PM
SHELTON — He heard footsteps as his nearest competitor inched closer with less than one-half lap remaining.
“I was like, ‘Oh shoot, I’ve got to go,’ ” South Kitsap junior LaForrest Church said.
There was little doubt about the outcome of the boys’ 1,600-meter relay from that point during the second day of the Class 4A Narrows League Championships for track and field at Shelton High School as the Wolves won the race in 3 minutes, 24.49 seconds. Gig Harbor was second in 3:25.77.
It was a personal-best time for a quartet that includes Adam Gascoyne, Bastian Tabacchi, Nick Sleigh and Church. All are juniors except for Tabacchi, who is a sophomore.
“What’s exciting is we all have another year together,” Church said.
He said competition for spots on the 1,600-relay team — senior Dan Schulte also has run with the unit — has pushed everyone to improve throughout the season. Church said every time they have run lately, the 1,600 team has improved their best time.
They were not the school’s only relay team to place first. South’s girls’ 800-relay team also won their event in 1:48.9.
“They came out of nowhere,” South coach Paul Zimmer said. “It was a three-second personal record. There are quite a few seniors on that team and it was nice to see them have success.”
The Wolves’ top finisher on the girls’ side was Kelsie Forcier. The Eastern Washington University-bound senior won the discus with a throw of 130 feet, 11 inches. She was second in the shot put (37-03 ½).
“The shot put has been giving me trouble for a couple of meets,” Forcier said. “It’s all about technique.”
That has not been an issue with the discus. Forcier estimates that she will need to throw 135 or 136 feet to win the state championship.
“That’s where I want to be and I know I can get there,” she said. “What I threw in the discus is not everything I have in me. It’s just a matter of doing it in a meet.”
The top four competitors in each event advance to the West Central District meet, which begins Friday at Mount Tahoma. In addition to Forcier, senior Sarah Lacey and junior Jessica Peterson also advanced on the girls’ side. Lacey was second in the 300 hurdles (47.93) and third in the 100 hurdles (16.83). Peterson was fourth in the 3,200 (11:39.5).
The Wolves’ girls’ 400-relay team also advances to districts after finishing fourth in the 400 relay (52.15).
On the boys’ side, Church won the 800 run (1:57.43).
“He ran a textbook 800,” Zimmer said. “We just told him to stay in the outside lane and be patient. He put on the pedals with 250 feet left.”
Junior Adam Gascoyne also claimed an individual championship in the 200 dash (22.48). Zimmer said Gascoyne’s finish was impressive, “especially in that field.
“I think he’s got that kind of speed and talent.”
Senior Dominic Boddie and junior Devon Larson were fourth in the 100 dash (11.35) and 110 hurdles (15.74), respectively. Steven Pavlik, a senior, also finished fourth in the discus (138-08).
Contact Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer Chris Chancellor at cchancellor@portorchardindependent.com or (360) 876-4414.
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