East Oregonian
MORO — As a freshman last year, Condon/Wheeler’s Ellie Logan stormed through the Class 1A state track and field championships placing in the top four in four events.
Heading into the Big Sky District Championships at Sherman County on Saturday, the sophomore is again ranked highly in the state’s 1A ranks. She’s posted the best or second best mark in four events — but two of those are different from last year.
Logan holds the best 1A time for the 100 meter with 12.74 seconds — good enough to top last year’s state meet numbers. Her javelin throw of 144 feet, seven inches is also tops, as is her triple jump score of 33 feet, nine inches.
“She could do 12 events and win them all,” fellow Big Sky Conference coach Jake Bacon of Echo said of the Condon/Wheeler girl’s athleticism.
Logan’s javelin throw at the PLS 1A Track Classic in Portland last Saturday put her in the top five for girls at all class levels in Oregon.
The Lady Knights finished first at the district level last year and came in third in the state.
Condon/Wheeler is still the team to beat but Arlington might have the best shot at an upset. The Honkers’ Emily Wetherell (javelin) and Bobbie Jackson (pole vault) each rank in the top three this season and lead a strong squad back from last year’s third placing.
Ione’s squad is a little lacking in depth this season, but sprinter Shadow Kendrick ranks sixth out of the Class 1A schools in the 100 meters — her best time this year is a 13.48 — and Dominika Senkerikova is the seventh-best javelin thrower, marking at 104 feet, six inches.
Also competing will be Echo, a team smaller than most basketball rosters this season with just six kids out for the sport. They won’t be in the running for team prizes, but discus thrower Kirsten McCallum gives them a shot at a state representative. The senior took second there last year but has had shoulder problems in 2012 and is topping out at 20 feet fewer than her personal best of 124-10. The shoulder is strengthening up and Coach Bacon believes she’s getting ready to go again.
“She’s been hitting 120 (feet) during practice,” he said. “We spent the season just focusing on her form at the back of the ring and keeping her coming along.”
Condon/Wheeler could be just as tough in the boys’ competition with high jumper Nick Shaffer. His leap of six feet, five inches isn’t just the best in 1A track, but is tied for ninth best in the state this year.
Helix’s best shot at a state qualifier comes with Dusty Bennett. The sophomore tied a personal record earlier this year in the high jump at 5-8, but has a long way to go to catch the likes of Shaffer.
Saturday’s meet gets under way at 11 a.m. in Moro.
——--
Contact AJ Mazzolini at (541) 966-0839 or [email protected].