On Friday afternoon, the Cashmere Bulldogs track and field team took a strategic approach in their final tune-up before the league championships, splitting the roster between the Vanderholm Invitational in Royal City and the Rieke Invitational in Peshastin. The move allowed more athletes the opportunity to compete, as each meet limited entries to two competitors per event.
The decision paid off, especially on the girls side in Royal City, where the Bulldogs claimed the team title. Cashmere’s boys also delivered a strong showing, finishing third out of 19 teams.
Mackenzie Van Bogart led the charge for the Bulldog girls with a dominant distance double, winning the 800 meters in 2:20.36 and the 1600 meters in 5:15.68. Brynne Patrick showcased her speed by winning the 100 meters in 12.90 and placing second in the 200 meters with a personal record time of 26.42.
Taylor Kunz had a standout all-around performance, winning the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 7 inches, while also placing second in the shot put (34-2) and second in the 100-meter hurdles (16.34).
Cashmere’s 4×100 relay team of Jayce West, Avril Guerrero, Patrick, and Kunz raced to a first-place finish in 50.65, adding to the team’s dominant performance.
On the boys side in Royal City, junior Zane Pace cleared a personal record 13-6 to win the pole vault. The 4×100 relay team of Braylon Rubio, Isaiah Black, Kaleb Thayer, and Caleb Dillin turned in a strong performance as well, placing second in 44.54.
Meanwhile, at the Rieke Invitational in Peshastin, the Bulldogs continued to post solid results against a competitive 18-team field. The Cashmere boys placed sixth, while the girls finished ninth.
Joseph Acton had a big day in the throws, placing second in the discus with a personal record toss of 153-7 and finishing fourth in the shot put with a season-best mark of 44-3. Jayce McMahon added a third-place finish in the javelin (143-1).
On the track, Jackson Binger clocked a personal record 52.53 to take third in the 400 meters. Connor Diaz also recorded a pair of personal bests, placing sixth in the 300-meter hurdles (44.57) and fourth in the 110-meter hurdles (16.77).
For the Bulldog girls in Peshastin, Kiana Baty delivered a strong hurdles performance, finishing second in the 300-meter hurdles with a personal record time of 47.60 and adding another PR in the 100-meter hurdles (17.84) to place fifth. Allie Neff cleared 8-0 in the pole vault to earn a third-place finish.
With momentum building across the roster, the Bulldogs now turn their attention to the SCAC Championship Meet, set for Saturday, May 9 in College Place, where they will look to build on a series of strong performances.
Vanderholm Invitational (Royal) Meet Results: HERE
Rieke Invite (Cascade) Meet Results: HERE
