By Christopher Duclos

Optimism abounds as head coach Robert Mirenzi enters his third season overseeing Ballard High’s track and field team. Along with coach Mirenzi, the track team is bringing back their strong coaching staff in hopes of building upon last year’s success.

A new addition to the coaching staff is Joey Thomas, better known as Ballard High’s football coach. Thomas’s addition to the track team will help turn out some of Ballard High’s football players. Helping them stay quick, agile and explosive during the football off-season.

“Our hope is to bring the football athletes on board," Coach Mirenzi offered on the addition of Coach Thomas. "The past seasons have had a dwindling football turnout; hopefully this will be the shot the boys’ team needs to get back to replicate previous successes (2nd at State 2004).”

Last season, Ballard High sent 19 student athletes to the Kingco tournament. Five of those students placing 1st in their competitions, 10 advanced to the district tournament and six to state. The Ballard women’s team showed up well for the Beavers, placing 8th overall at the state tournament. Out of all the top group of athletes, Ballard has only lost four seniors to graduation.

Over the last two seasons, Ballard High saw nine school records fall. This included the girls 4x400m team, who placed 4th overall at the Washington state tournament.

Who to watch and their events:

Carolyn Birkenfeld, Junior. 100m/200m/ 4x100 4x200 400 4x400, participated in the girls 4x400that took 4th in state last season

Mia Wrey, Senior. 1600m/800m/400m/4x400. Achieved 1st in Kingco for 800m last season, 3rd in state for girls 1600. Participated in the girls 4x400 team that took 4th in state last season

Anna Mirenzi, Senior. 1600m/3200m

Stuart Thomas, Senior. 110m Hurdles, 300m Hurldes, 400m, 4x400 1st in Kingco, both events

Philemon Gituma, Senior. 100m/200m/400m

Bryan Quandt Senior. 1600m/3200m/800m

Kelsey Harmatta, Senior. Pole vault
Chase Hagar, Sophomore. High Jump, Long Jump, 100m/200m/400m, 4x400
Ryan Kelly, Senior. 800m/1600m/3200m

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