POULSBO — The Port Angeles High School Track & Field team turned in a string of standout performances at Saturday’s Dave Snyder’s Lil’ Norway Track Meet, highlighted by a top-five state mark and a host of personal records.
Junior Brody Pierce stole the spotlight in the triple jump, launching himself to a first-place finish with a personal best of 43 feet, 6.5 inches. His mark not only leads the 2A Olympic League but ranks fifth among all 2A athletes statewide and 22nd overall in Washington this season — a remarkable feat for the talented multi-sport athlete.
Port Angeles Roughrider junior Brody Pierce won the triple jump with a personal-best mark that ranks fifth in the state among 2A athletes.
On the track, the Roughriders’ hurdlers made big strides. Senior Finn Thompson ran a personal-best 44.79 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles, placing sixth. Sophomore Ashton Gedelman wasn’t far behind, clocking a PR of 45.08 for seventh.
In the mid-distance races, junior Easton Dempsey continued his strong spring campaign with a fourth-place finish in the boys’ 800 meters, running 2:01.04. On the girls’ side, freshman Storey Schmidt turned in a personal best of 2:39.05 to place sixth.
Roughrider freshman Storey Schmidt placed sixth in the girls’ 800-meter run.
Long-distance standout Leia Larson, a junior, set a personal record in the 3200 meters with a time of 12:14.48, earning eighth place.
Field events brought even more success for Port Angeles. Senior Keatyn Hock cleared 5’8″ in the high jump to finish seventh, while sophomore Miriam Cobb placed ninth in the long jump at 14’1.75″. Junior Teanna Clark delivered another strong performance in the javelin, finishing third with a season-best throw of 105’1″.
With the postseason just around the corner, the Roughriders will carry this momentum into their first home meet of the season on Thursday, April 24, at 3:15 p.m. at Civic Field.
Former Roughrider Jack Gladfelter Qualifies for NAIA Nationals
Former Port Angeles Roughrider track and cross-country standout Jack Gladfelter has qualified for the NAIA National Championships in the 10,000 meters. Competing for Corban University in Salem, Oregon, Gladfelter ran a national qualifying time of 30:30 at the Larry Byerly Invitational hosted by Lewis & Clark University in Portland.
Gladfelter’s time currently ranks seventh fastest in the nation among NAIA athletes. He will compete at nationals hosted by Indiana Wesleyan University on Wednesday, May 21.
Julmist Signs with Park University
Former Sequim Wolf and Peninsula Pirate Jelissa Julmist, a local fan favorite, has signed a letter of intent to continue her basketball career at Park University in Gilbert, Arizona.
The Buccaneers, a member of the NAIA’s Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC), finished 14-11 overall and 8-6 in conference play this past season, reaching the first round of the GSAC playoffs.
Julmist helped lead the Sequim Wolves to the Sweet 16 as a junior and to a fourth-place finish at the State Tournament as a senior. At Peninsula College, she started 42 of 46 games played, averaging 10 points and 8 rebounds per game. During her two years as a Pirate, Peninsula went 28-0 in conference play and 46-6 overall, reaching the NWAC Elite Eight and Final Four.
Former Sequim Wolf and Peninsula Pirate Jelissa Julmist has signed to continue her basketball career with the Park University Buccaneers.
Joining Julmist at Park University will be her friend and former East Jefferson High School standout, Kay Botkin.
Roughrider Soccer Rolls Past Kingston
In soccer action, Port Angeles defeated Kingston 4-2. Matthew Miller scored a hat trick in just 14 minutes, while Oliver Martinez added the fourth goal, heading in a corner kick from Kanyon Anderson.
The Roughriders will travel to Bainbridge tomorrow.
Baseball Update
The Sequim Wolves fell to a strong Orting Cardinals team 13-7. Port Angeles faced a tough test, hosting undefeated 3A fourth-ranked Gig Harbor. The Roughriders were limited to just one hit as Gig Harbor cruised to an 8-1 win.
Upcoming Matches and Games
In tennis, Port Angeles hosts Bremerton today at 4:00 p.m.
In fastpitch, Port Angeles travels to North Mason with the first pitch scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Sequim will host Kingston. KONP will broadcast that game at 4 pm.