by Safa Pinkens
for The Marysville Globe

MARYSVILLE Faces were bright on March 17, when the Arlington track team pulled off a successful meet. The meet was held at Marysville for Arlington and Stanwood, with the Arlington boys placing first overall, winning a total of seven out of 17 events.
Senior Marcus Dolan placed first in the 200, earning a personal record of 22.83. Junior Kellen Botten had an excellent race in the 100, with first place and a personal record of 11.52. Not only did Dolan and Botten take first in their individual events, they were also on the winning team of the 4 x 100 relay with Brandon Gunter and Bryan Mack. The team had a time of 44.15, owed in part to their smooth hand-offs.
Distance also went well for the boys. Paul Simbeck placed first in the 1,600 (4:46.16) and second in the 3,200 (10:33.70), while Luke Passalacqua took a close second in the 800 with a personal record of 2:03.02, less than two seconds behind the first-place finisher.
Senior Kurtis Hampton threw for first in both the shot put (4710) and discus (13105). John Shell and Hampton took second and third respectively in their first javelin throws of the season.
Colt Kesselring took first in the triple jump with a distance of 3903.
On the girls side, Senior Kjirsten Jensen took her usual first place in the shot put (3701) and discus (12706). Although Arlington girls did not place first in any other events, there were many excellent performances.
Freshman Kylene Swegel competed in the long jump for the first time, taking fourth place with a jump of 1409, good even for someone more experienced at the long jump. Swegel also placed second in the 100 high hurdles with a time of 17.81.
Sophomore Fuyuka Dorff did well in the 3200, placing second with a time of 12:42.29, more than 15 seconds faster than her previous best. Freshman Kristin Wregglesworth finished fourth in the 1600 with a personal record of 5:45.76.
The meet left many athletes with personal records waiting to be broken at their next meet on Thursday, April 24, at Lake Stevens.

On Safa Pinkens
Safa Pinkens is a sophomore at Arlington High School who runs cross country and track and has a part in the upcoming AHS play, Our Town. She has a 3.98 GPA and recently approached The Arlington Times about a possible internship. Due to glowing recommendations from her teachers and an impressive resume, The Times will be running periodic columns by Pinkens on events and activities at AHS during this spring quarter.