The Mount Rainier Rams track and field team ventured to Federal Way for the Bill Harris Invitational and came away with some high places against higher classification teams Tuesday.

"We aren't usually going against 4A competition, so this is a little tougher for us," said Ali Kestle, a Rams coach.

That said, there were several good performances had amongst high schools with more kids for coaches Brian Jacobson, Phil Sampson, Kestle to see get challenged like never before in a lot of cases.

Jacobson, the head girls coach, liked what he saw in his long distance runner Alison Vrbanac that he coaches. She ran in the 1600 meter run, as she beat runners from Auburn and other 4A schools to win that one. Would have been nice too to see Vrbanac so liking what she saw herself do winning the close to mile long race.

"That's the worst feeling I have ever had after a race (being dog-tired)," said Vrbanac, coming over to the stands and by Jacobson was where she said those words.

"Good," said Jacobson. "That's how we want you to feel." She was visually looking tired and she should since she ran her best race yet.

It was all kidding and smiling between Jacobson and Vrbanac but the fact is that Vrbanac has more to unfuel out there on the track and Jacobson merely wants to see his prize distance pupil get the most mileage she can out of the timed miles and more she goes on the track. Though only a sophomore, and running for Jacobson in cross country to a state qualification, Vrbanac's potential is still untapped and becoming more and more.

"She's still learning how to run the race," said Jacobson. "The last couple of races she has had a lot left at the end."

So that is being worked on and what else?

"Her goal was to qualify for the Pasco Invitational and she did that today so that was good and what we wanted," said Jacobson.

Vrbanac's time, best of her season so far, was 5:37.20.

Whitney Hogan is a captain for the Rams and she was asked who else besides Vrbanac is good on the team.

"All the girls are good," she said, "we have a small team but everyone is good."

Hogan was getting ready to run her race, the 3200 and she asked one of her coaches if she could down a pack of cheetos, as she sat in the bleachers.

"I have a half hour to go about til my race," said Hogan. Should I eat them?"

Sampson said, "I wouldn't if it was me."

So, Hogan shrugged her shoulders, maybe even frowned a little because the little Cheetos tiger on the front of the bag looked cool and the crunchy, cheesy, snack would have tasted good in her stomach. But willpower indeed stopped Hogan.

But then someone , a teammate of Hogan's said, as she sat a little higher in the stands watching the races, "I have some carrots."

That nice 'someone' was freshman, Brianna Jacobs.

So that was nice to see, a real team spirit there.

Chris Jones, a sophomore Rams jumper, showed a good firey spirit, beating out other high jumpers, being the only one to clear 6-1 on this invitational. He too beat an Auburn jumper and others from higher classification schools.

"He's got high jump potential," said Sampson. "He has cleared 6-0 in practice but not in a dual meet."

So, that was before the Bill Harris Invitational. So, now, Jones has done 6-0 and will look to bigger marks. He is only a freshman afterall. That certainly right there, that one word, 'freshman,' explains his likelihood of getting very good at the sport before the season is through.

Dionte Cadogan, a sophomore, went well in the 100 meter run, taking fourth, but he was only beaten by three 4A competitors.

He knows what it is going to take for him to get from the mid 11 second range to lower.

"Lots of work every day," said Cadogan.

Dadogan has done well to be running this year, he didn't get to last year.

"I had trouble with school last year, this year I am hitting the books," said Cadogan.

"I have a total confidence in him getting in the 10s," said Sampson. "If he doesn't get to state this year , he will next. "

Jacobson also mentioned Ryan Prentice as a runner to watch, he was slated a favorite in a long distance race or two, like the 1600 and 3200 but he did not run for injury reasons.

"He's not running for us today but he's running well this season," said Jacobson.

Some other competitors that competed and will only get better include Thomas Davis, who long jumped.

"He is a good guy, he made the finals of the long jump, I expect him to make jumps in the 20s very soon," said Sampson. "

Freshman Kyle Ehlers is another to watch for improvement on the Rams.