Local track athletes gain all-WYL honors

Nine Kings County, including five from Lemoore, have been selected to the first West Yosemite League track and field team. While all-league teams are selected in a variety of sports, WYL track and field -- which crowns league champions at an annual meet -- had yet to do so.

That changed this season, with the league coaches voting on an all-league performer in each of the 14 individual events for both boys and girls.

Leading the way among local teams was the Lemoore High girls squad, which garnered four all-WYL selections.

Senior Brandy Hurd was picked in the 100-meter dash, with freshman teammate Dominique Whittington gaining the nod in the 200.

Also, Tigers sophomore Ellie Aguilera was the choice in the 3,200 and junior Brooke Maciel was picked in the long jump.

Hanford freshman Kortnee Loftis gained all-league honors in the 400.

The all-WYL boys team included two Hanford West standouts -- senior Tharreus Williams in the 300 hurdles and junior Vontrail Love in the 100.

Hanford placed junior 400 runner Jorge Flores on the squad, and Lemoore was represented by senior discus thrower Grey Tompkins.

Also voted to the boys team were Golden West's Chris Lopez (100) and Andrew Mashler (pole vault), Mt. Whitney's Aric Champagne (800), Cole Younger (1,600) and Ethan DeJongh (110 hurdles), Redwood's Justin Vilhauer (3,200), Idarre Coles (high jump) and Dillon Root (long jump), and Golden West's Andrew Mashler (pole vault) and El Diamante's John Walker (triple jump) and Jason Gomez (shot put).

Other athletes named to the girls team were El Diamante's Molly Pahkamaa (800) and Marissa Nelson (long jump), Mt. Whitney's Jeanette Larson (1,600), Redwood's Candice Pacheco (100 hurdles), Heather Vermillion (shot put) and Melanie Weatherly (discus), and Golden West's Cristina Muro (high jump), Ayla Draper (300 hurdles) and Jane Peterson (pole vault).

(May 23, 2008)