Track and field athletes from Rogers and Puyallup High School got an opportunity to perform under the glow of the bright lights at Sparks Stadium for one of the most anticipated dual meets of the season.
“It’s been a tradition between our two schools for years to have a night meet,” Erlenmeyer said. “It gives parents who are usually working during our normal meet times (4 p.m.) to come out for a meet. Having the meet start at 6 p.m. and go until 8:30 is a huge deal. We’re the home team this year and we couldn’t put this on without the support of the countless volunteers.”
When the rivalry meet finally came to a close, the Rogers Rams boys tracksters defeated the Puyallup Vikings 91-36 and the Rams’ girls squad registered a 76-56 victory against the Vikings as well.
Rams’ speedster Wes McCann took first place in the boys 100 meters with a blistering time of 10.91 seconds — a personal record. McCann arrived late to the starting line and had to settle for lane eight instead of his typical lane assignment in the fourth lane.
“I got there late so I got stuck in the eighth lane. Running a 10.9 is a great feeling. I started off the year running 11.5s and got it down to 11.2 and 11.1 a few weeks ago,” McCann said. “Breaking the 11 mark is a big accomplishment for me.”
Rogers boys track and field head coach Danny Carlson was jubilant following McCann’s blistering time in the 100.
“I was pumped up for Wes,” Carlson said. “He’s going to peak at the right time. Earlier in the year he was concerned with his times, but I’ve kept telling him that my training program will make you peak later in the year when you need to. He’s getting close to that level right now.”
Rogers senior Eric Morrison is peaking at the right time. Morrison registered a personal best 39.4 in the 300 meter-hurdles.
“I’ve been working for this all year so it feels pretty good,” Morrison said. “It feels good to win but it feels better knowing what kind of time I got. I want to get the time down as low as I can get it. State is coming up soon and that’s when it really counts. I want to be ready.”
In girls action, Rogers 100-meter runner Keisha Mitchell clocked a 12.47, nabbing first place overall. Mitchell blew away the field resulting in the second place finisher being at least five meters behind her.
“I felt a little sloppy but I did good, I guess,” Mitchell said. “I pushed it as hard as I could. I just do what I do to try to win.”
Fellow Rogers teammate Nichole Jones took first place in the high jump leaping over the bar at 5 feet, 2 inches. It was the best leap of Jones’ career thus far.
“I was extremely relieved. I put the pressure on myself,” Jones said. “I haven’t got a personal record in a long time.”
Rogers girls head coach Stephanie Tucci, who ironically enough ran for the Rams in the 1970s said her team is blessed with a vast amount of depth in every event.
“We have a pretty big team. There’s 53 girls on the roster,” Tucci said. “It allows us to pick up those second and third places even if we don’t take first place in a particular event.”
Puyallup 1600 meter runner Alyssa Merrill took first place for the second consecutive dual meet, clocking a 5:35.4. Merrill improved her time by eight seconds since competing against Emerald Ridge on April 10.
“It’s getting closer to the end of the season,” Merrill said. “The conditions weren’t bad today. I’m hoping to get my time down to a 5:30 in the future.”
In the jumping department, Puyallup junior Ivy Reeves continued his undefeated streak in the triple jump. Reeves took first place with a leap of 40 feet, 10 inches.
“I haven’t lost in the triple jump in a dual meet yet this year,” Reeves said. “Last year, I focused on sprinting but this year I’m focusing more on the jumps. My long term goal is to set the school record. I’ve got a ways to go. I need to get four more feet. The record is 45 feet, 11 inches.”
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