2008 Season Preview

Coming off of a season that was highlighted by a third consecutive Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges team title is an exciting position to be in.  The 2008 Sasquatch men’s track and field team is ready to make it a fourth title.  This edition of the Spokane track squad is slightly different than a year ago.  Back are the strong throwers and distance runners but the sprints, relays and particularly the hurdlers have taken it up a notch for 2008. 

The team is led by its strong and experienced sophomore class.  Dave Howard (50'1"), the defending Shot Put Champion, and Ron Whitley (147'10"), All-American discus thrower, lead the throwers which is quite possibly the strongest event group for this year’s team.  Howard won the shot a year ago and was an All-American in the discus.  Whitley was the discus runner-up two years ago after red-shirting last season.  Sophomore Gabe Rodriguez returns as a 198 foot javelin thrower and should contend for top honors in that event.  In the hammer throw, the 2006 runner-up returns to the team in 2008 in the form of sophomore Jon Smith (177'9").

Leading the sprints and jumps this season is sophomore Kurt Williams (22'¼", 44'¾").  A year ago he was All-Conference in the long and triple jumps.  Beau Carillo (15'9"), Casey Schooley (14'9") and Kraig Grant (14'6") will contend for top honors in the pole vault.  Grant doubles as an All-Conference decathlete as well.  Newcomer Deonta Edwards will be the man to beat in the high jump with a personal best of 7'½" and a Colorado state title under his belt.  Sean Adebayo will be very strong in the long and triple jumps with personal bests of 22'10" and 44'7".  Kris Widman, a Washington State High Jump Champion, boasts a personal best of 6'8". 

The most improved area for the 2008 team may very well be its hurdles.  Boasting over five hurdlers in the 15 second range or lower, the Sasquatch will be well represented in these events.  Returning 110 and 400 meter hurdle finalist Tyreil Poosri (15.59, 38.8) will lead this year’s squad.  But the incoming freshman class may be the best in school history.  The duo of Adam Walden (14.3, 38.87) and Tim Armstrong (14.47, 38.9) should vie for individual NWAACC titles in both hurdle races.  Armstrong also shows great promise in the decathlon as well.  As with the hurdles, the sprints and relays in 2008 will be formidable.  Several new faces will contend at the NWAACC championships including; Michael Vetter (10.6, 21.8) the Washington A State Champion, Jack Holley (10.91, 22.32) a Washington 4A state finalist, Tyler Watson (10.9) the Oregon B State Champion and New Mexico state finalist in the 400 meters Matt Fitzgerald (49.38).

The seven time defending NWAACC champion cross country team transfers its success to the track in 2008.  They are led by sophomore and four-time All-American Mark Moeller in the 5000 (15:04.51) and 10000 (32:17.46) meter races.  Two-time cross country All-American Tyler Rapp (15.94) will contend in the steeplechase and 5000 meter races.  2007 NWAACC Cross Country Champion and school record holder, Dak Riek (4:14 1600, 9:04 3200) will look for similar success in the 5000 and 10000.  Two-time track All-American Jake Roberts (1:54, 3:57 1500) will be difficult to contend with in the 1500 and All-American freshman Max Reeder will be strong as well. Freshman, Isiah Dawkins will be strong in the 800 (1:56) for the Sasquatch as well.