Returning to the track on the heels of a season which saw both the boys and girls break into the league’s top 10, the Bainbridge High School track and field team is looking to up the ante even further this year with a deeper roster and a large contingency of fresh faced freshman additions.
Last year’s squad was ranked fifth in the girls standings and eighth in the boys.
About 90 student athletes came out for the team this year, according to Spartan Head Coach Andy Grimm — returning for his 18th season at the helm — including 25 freshman.
Events in the track and field season include (for boys) the 100-, 200-, 400-, 800-, 1600- and 3200-meters, the 100- and 300-meter hurdles, the 4×100 and 4×400 relays, the high, long and triple jumps, shot put, discus, javelin and pole vault; and (for girls) all the same plus a 4×200 relay as well.
The top returners on the boys side, Grimm said, include 2015 district qualifiers senior Connor Evans (state alternate), senior David Kimmerlein, sophomore Kyle Hammer, junior Eric Jung, junior Wyatt Longley and junior James Payne; as well as Metro qualifiers senior Ben Scott, senior Johannes Griesser and sophomore Robbie Davis.
Top female returners include junior Sarah Lucioni (seventh in state last year, high jump); senior Aerin Amore (2015 state qualifier, fourth place, 4×400); 2015 district qualifiers junior Makaila Deen, sophomore Grace Hall, junior Jacqueline McVay, sophomore Taylee Undem, junior Naomi Von Ruden, junior Audrey Weaver; and 2015 Metro qualifiers sophomore Julia Brooks, junior Maria Flynn, sophomore Olivia Gallagher, sophomore Jianna Kauffman, junior Maya Rovelstad and junior Audrey Weaver.
Among the flock of fresh faces, Grimm said Spartan sports fans can expect great things from several early standouts, especially Bryce Hill-Settelmeyer, a junior making waves in the javelin world, and freshman Hannah Tonsman.
Grimm works with a squad of student leaders, he explained, to best manage and organize the large team.
“The boys are led by talented individuals in Connor Evans, 6-foot high jump, Wyatt Longley, 800-meter, who should go sub 2:00 this year, and James Payne, who should make an impact in the 100 -, 200- and 400,” he said. “The boys should be able to put together a very competitive 1600-meter relay by the end of the season.
“Ben Scott is a fighter in the 300 hurdles,” he added. “Eric Jung will impact sprints and jumps.”
Bryce Hill-Settelmeyer is the primary 140- to 150-foot javelin thrower to start the season.
The girls side is led by an equally talented cadre.
“Aerin Amore is the leader of the girls team,” Grimm said of the three-year veteran of the state tournament in the mile relay event.
Sarah Lucioni medaled in the high jump at state last year and Grace Hall just missed state in the shot put and javelin last spring, he added.
Taylee Undem is expected to be a force in the jumps and sprints, and Deen, Weaver and Von Ruden should be in the hunt for state berths by mid-May, the coach said.
“Rookie Hannah Tonsman looks like she has the ability to be outstanding in mid distance and distance races,” Grimm added.
The BHS track team’s season began at home on Thursday, March 24. Athletes from Roosevelt and Ballard were slated to attend the year’s debut home meet.
