Districts and State on the line for Panther teams
The week of sports in review
October 27, 2014
Girls Soccer:
The new power tandem of forwards senior Katie Michkiosky and freshman Allie Flynn led the Wenatchee girls soccer team to a 5-0 victory over Eisenhower on Oct. 20.
“Allie’s real focused on scoring goals, and Katie would almost rather assist. She sets up plenty of goals for Allie, and Allie finishes through. The two have developed a nice chemistry, and they’re starting to partner up very nicely,” Coach John Springer said.
Flynn managed the coveted hat trick, along with two assists from Michkiosky, who also scored a goal of her own. Senior Ali Sealby, traditionally a defensive player, also scored a goal.
“We had some defenders move up since we were winning by a lot,” senior goalie Ashton Blanksma said. “I was freezing the entire game. I only touched the ball once.”
The team, holding a solid third place in the league with a 7-3 record, stands behind Moses Lake and West Valley, both with records of 9-1. With the last two games of the season approaching, the team looks to hold its position in the league with wins in games Tuesday, Oct. 28 against Sunnyside and Thursday, Oct. 30 against Moses Lake, a rematch game against the Panthers biggest competition in the league.
-Kiana Wilson, Opinion Editor
Girls Swim:
Standing on the diving blocks, the nasal buzzer sounds and immediately the swimmers’ minds wipe of any conflict or stress as they dive into the water. Lately, some swimmers have become tense because of the State swim competition approaching fast. But others on the undefeated WHS swim team use that as motivation.
“I’m not nervous, I trust my training and my coaches. I feel confident,” freshman Jordan Hartley said.
On Oct. 25, the last league meet before the postseason, the Panthers stayed strong, beating Eastmont 145-41 and Richland 123-63 at home. Four more qualifying State times were made, two individuals and two relays. The team of junior Kayli Elwyn, sophomore Isabelle Dressel, sophomore Jessica Wierzbicki, and junior Kayli Brown made a state qualifying time with a 1 minute, 53.43 seconds in the 200 medley relay. Wierzbicki individually qualified in two events, the 200 individual medley with a 2:11.92, and the 100 free with a 53.79. The 400 free relay team of Wierzbicki, Hartley, Dressel, and junior Tori Peterson also qualified with a time of 3:43.65. This meet ends the regular season with a bang and the Panthers look well prepared, according to Coach James Elwyn.
The Panthers beat Moses Lake on Oct. 21, 130-56. Moses Lake seemed to be their biggest competitor in the rankings, but then proved they were not worthy enough to strip the Panthers of their title. Wenatchee keeps winning and keeps making State times. Hartley qualified for State in the 500 yard free with a time of 5:18.00.
“I feel accomplished and [qualifying for State] is part of the reason I’m not nervous,” Hartley said.
Freshman Hannah VanHeyningen and sophomore Isabelle Dressel have also qualified for State.
“[It] seems like we have as many qualified as we ever have and are in shape to do well,” Elwyn said.
Districts are on Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at the Central Washington University. State is on Nov. 15 at the King County Aquatics Center.
-Lexi Rivera, Staff Reporter
Cross Country:
The Wenatchee cross country teams really showed who was boss at the second Columbia Basin Big 9 league meet in Moses Lake on Oct. 21. The boys varsity took home second place out of seven teams with a score of 66.
Senior Cole Christman took home first place with a time of 16:07.53. Senior Austen Lane was just behind him placing second with a time of 16:07.93.
The girls varsity placed second out of seven teams with a score of 56.
Senior Raquel Thody finished fourth out of 44 with a time of 20:23.35
“After a good race, I feel pretty dead but also really excited about how I was able to push myself further than I thought I could,” Thody said. “[Pushing it the last bit] I tell myself there are only a few seconds left and I need to give it every ounce of strength and power I have … [passing another runner] I feel pretty good, it’s just proof and evidence that I trained harder than they did and I earned the ability to pass them.”
Senior Lindsey Wapato came in close behind placing 10th, with a time of 20:53.53.
Wenatchee is hosting the District meet this year on Oct. 30 with races starting at 3 p.m.
-Kirsten Walker, Staff Reporter