ARLINGTON – Hurdler Sidney Trinidad and javelin-thrower Gabriel Green – both ranked No. 1 in their events - have a sense that depth of team talent could make for a remarkable finish at the state track meet starting Thursday at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma.
If a 40-year-old school record being shattered helps inspire an already motivated team, every extra push helps. At practice Tuesday, coaches lauded the performance of teammate Juliette Williams, who ran a 12.23 100-meter dash at the 3A District 1 Championships at Shoreline May 20.
Trinidad and Green spoke about an Eagle team that isn’t sending quite as many athletes to state as they have in the past, but the caliber of talent is above and beyond.
“This year we have more individual event people than we’ve had the past couple of years,” Green said.
The team likes its chances to bring home a trophy.
“We have a better chance to place in the top four this year, which is really cool because our school hasn’t even placed in the top four ever,” he said.
Coach Judd Hunter said if all the pieces come together, Arlington has a good shot at a trophy.
“I’m super excited to watch the kids compete this weekend and see all their hard work from this season pay off,” Hunter said.
For Trinidad, a senior, this is her last time competing on a high school track, “so I’m just trying to go out with a bang.”
“I don’t want to celebrate or get cocky at all because it’s about how you do at those particular races on that day in that moment, so I’m excited, I’m confident, but I’m still going to hit it hard and do my very best,” Trinidad said.
She is ranked first in her two individual events – the 100 and 300 hurdles – and also added two firsts with the relay teams at district.Trinidad signed with Central Washington University on a track scholarship. She will compete as a heptathlete, running seven events with an emphasis on hurdles. And she still rock climbs at Olympian levels on the side.
Green placed first in the javelin at district, second in the discus and fourth in the shot put to lead the Eagle boys to the team title with 103.5 points. He said he was surprised how well he did in his secondary events.
“I figured if I make it, I’m going to try my best, but if I don’t, I’m not going to worry about it much because my event is javelin,” Green said. “But I’m happy I made it for all three events because that’s great for our team.”
Their teammates made an impressive showing at districts; hurdler Campbell Hudson placed second in the 110 in 14.94 and third in the 300 in 41.37.
Arlington had three other boys qualify for state.
•3200-2, Kevin Mullin, 9:37.56.
•300 hurdles-2, Seth-Patric Quizmon, 40.95
•400—4, Nicholas Mendro, 52.47
For Arlington girls, Reilly Kesselring of Arlington won the high jump with a leap of 5-foot-1. Williams was second in the 400 at 1 minute, 15 seconds. In the 800 meters Kelsey Mutton placed third in 2:19.45.