Track Season Heats Up With Multiple Northeast Washington Schools At Ezra Gordon

Track action was heating up Saturday, March 28, at the Ezra Gordon Invitational, highlighted by multiple event wins and top-three finishes from Colville, Chewelah, Northport, and Hunters.

Colville’s Malik Ortiz led the way with a dominant distance double, winning the 1,600 meters in 4:33.16 and the 3,200 meters in 10:00.46. Teammate Calvin Beardslee placed seventh in the 1,600 meters (5:03.01), while Reese Titus added an eighth-place finish (5:03.48) and later took fourth in the 300-meter hurdles in 51.36. In the sprints, Mason Beardsley placed eighth in the 100 meters (11.90) and ninth in the 200 (24.59), while Baxter Phipps added an eighth-place finish in the 200 meters (24.37).

Field events were a strength for the Crimson Hawks. Darnell Ah Loo placed second in the long jump (21 feet, 0.25 inches) and won the triple jump (44 feet even), while Isaiah Ortiz was runner-up in the triple jump (43 feet, 0.5 inches) and added a fifth-place finish in the 400 (56.22). Bodie Nigg placed third in the triple jump (41 feet, 5.75 inches), and Ezra Forester took fourth in the shot put (43 feet, 11 inches). In the javelin, David Jabaay placed second with a throw of 143 feet, 6 inches, and Phipps added a fourth-place finish (125 feet, 5 inches).

Chewelah also produced standout performances, led by Justice Whittekiend, who won the 800 meters in 2:02.98. Teammate Kyle Foster placed sixth in the same race (2:21.85) and later finished 11^th in the 1,600 meters (5:17.92). AJ Kent placed sixth in the 200 meters (23.96) and seventh in the shot put (39 feet, 1.5 inches), while also clearing 12 feet, 6 inches to place second in the pole vault. Francis Sety contributed a fourth-place finish in the long jump (18 feet, 9 inches) and fourth in the triple jump (39 feet, 6.5 inches). The Chewelah boys also placed second in the 4x400 relay with a time of 3:46.25.

Northport athletes made their mark in both track and field events. Trae Smith placed third in the 400 meters (54.87) and 10^th in the 200 meters (24.95), while Cameron Mawdsley finished eighth in the 400 meters (57.97) and 11^th in the 200 meters (25.04). Canyon Hoskins placed sixth in the 3,200 meters (12:07.20), 20^th in the 1,600 meters (5:26.66), and sixth in the 300-meter hurdles (52.32). In field events, Blaine Rieckers placed sixth in the triple jump (35 feet, 10.25 inches) and ninth in the javelin (114 feet, 6 inches).

Hunters saw strong efforts from its underclassmen, including Michel Fagan, who placed 14^th in the 800 meters (2:33.61) and 12^th in the long jump (15 feet, 7.5 inches). Gregory Baez placed 18^th in the 1,600 meters (5:26.30), while the 4x100 relay team finished fifth in 54.04.

On the girls side, Colville’s Andee Kroiss highlighted the meet with a pair of victories, winning the 300-meter hurdles in 49.56 and the long jump with a mark of 15 feet, 11 inches. Kroiss also helped lead the Crimson Hawks’ 4x400 relay team to a third-place finish (4:33.01). Teammate Zaidence Zier delivered a strong distance performance, placing second in the 800 meters (2:32.05) and third in the 1,600 meters (5:48.83), while Paxton Jones added a third-place finish in the 3,200 meters (14:20.05) and 10^th in the 1,600 meters (6:30.23).

In the sprints, Kroiss placed fifth in the 100 meters (13.42), while Hayden Ortner took sixth (13.43) and fourth in the 200 meters (28.06). Natana Sloan added an eighth-place finish in the 200 meters (29.03), and Ellie Malone placed seventh in the 400 meters (1:11.45). The Hawks also saw strong field event results, with Renee’ LaRue placing second in the javelin (91 feet, 8 inches), Amaryllis Nokes finishing sixth (80 feet, 2 inches), and Shelby Minnier taking sixth in the discus (76 feet, 5 inches).

Chewelah turned in a solid showing as well, led by Rin Parsons, who placed third in the 800 meters (2:32.98) and seventh in the 100 meters (13.45). Teammate Liberty Whittekiend added an 11^th-place finish in the 200 meters (29.40) and 12^th in the 400 meters (1:16.80), while Josie Carter placed sixth in the 1,600 meters (6:13.08). Mei Parsons contributed an eighth-place finish in the 800 meters (2:50.08). In field events, Whittekiend placed fourth in the long jump (14 feet, 5.5 inches), and Anna Whittekiend took 10^th in the javelin (74 feet, 10 inches). The Chewelah 4x400 relay team placed fifth in 4:51.91.

Northport athletes also posted notable finishes, with the 4x100 relay team placing third (58.36). Makaila Hackenberg took sixth in the 100-meter hurdles (20.51) and fifth in the 300-meter hurdles (59.01), while Kylie Colton placed seventh in the 300 hurdles (1:02.66). In field events, Dalilah Colton placed fifth in the javelin (80 feet, 4 inches) and 16^th in the shot put (22 feet, 5 inches), while Brooklyn Wilson added a third-place finish in the discus (82 feet, 9 inches).

Hunters saw strong efforts from its younger athletes, including Taylor Moss, who placed fifth in the discus (76 feet, 9.5 inches) and 39^th in the 100 meters (15.82). Makayla Vincelli added a 16^th-place finish in the 1,600 meters (6:55.81).