Lakewood Cougars shine at Tomahawk Classic

The Cougar track and field team once again made an impression at the Tomahawk Classic on Saturday, April 27, at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

MARYSVILLE — The Cougar track and field team once again made an impression at the Tomahawk Classic on Saturday, April 27, at Marysville-Pilchuck High School.

“Don’t wait, don’t wait. Believe! Believe!” cheered head coach Jeff Sowards as the boys 4×800-meter relay team of Drew Cabales, Alex Cooper, Peter Espinoza and Jake Ryan made its way around the Quil Ceda Stadium track.

“I am so inspired right now,” said Lakewood girls pole vaulter Taylor Studzinski as she looked on. “Coach Sowards is the most inspirational person. He’s not even cheering me right now, but I am inspired anyway.”

The cheering must have had the same impact on the relay team, as Ryan crossed the finish line ahead of all other runners. The team took first place with a final time of 8:46.58.

Studzinski and fellow pole-vaulter Tasha Del Pozo may have used that inspiring support to take top spots in their event as well. Studzinski placed seventh with a final height of eight feet, while Del Pozo placed 11th with a height of seven feet.

Cougar junior Skylar Cannon took first place in the girls javelin with a distance of 117 feet, 11 inches.

Justin Peterson won the high jump, with a height of six feet.

Senior Ariel Jensen took first in the 800-meter race with a final time of 2:24.59, which was her second fastest time this year.

Junior Andrew Stich took first place in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.17, and second place in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 41.30. Junior Ryan Whitehead took third place with a time of 42.84.

The invitational hosted 12 teams from across Washington, from 1A to 4A classifications.

“Randy Davis and his volunteer staff did a great job of putting it on,” said Sowards of the meet. “Our kids did pretty well. On the boys side, we took second place overall and we held our own against some pretty good teams.”

It was the last regular season meet for the Cougars, who move on to the Cascade Conference Championships on Thursday, May 2, at King’s High School at 4:30 p.m. Only the top 16 individuals from the conference qualify for that meet, however, those who don’t qualify will compete in a last-chance meet at Sultan High School on Friday, May 3.