Decatur Golden Gators
2016 record: 2-4
Key losses: Marcelo Berganza, Cordell Pickins, Ariya Kendrick, Kayla Peterson
Key returners: Eric Jones, Harry Steinmetz, Parris Watson, Yelena Petrik
Coaches: Sam Hunt, Terry Frentop
The Decatur Golden Gators are primed with seasoned veterans on both the boys and girls sides in 2017. Decatur will have two of its state placers in Kemuel Santana and Gabrielle Boyd returning this season. Decatur had a lot of young talent with very impressive finishes in Federal Way’s biggest event last year, the All-City meet. They will all be back this season as sophomores and juniors. The Gators kick off the 2017 season on March 16 at Kent-Meridian. They make their home debut on March 23 vs. Hazen.
Quotable: “This season has the potential to be a lot of fun,” Decatur coach Terry Frentop said. “We are going to be young but are also bringing back some very important, experienced athletes.”
Federal Way Eagles
2016 record: 6-1
Key losses: D’Jimon Jones, Mason Sallee, Ariya Kendrick, Kayla Peterson
Key returners: Eric Jones, Harry Steinmetz, Kemi Akinlosotu, Josephine Akinlosotu
Coaches: Chris Williams, Quinn Gillis
The Federal Way Eagles continue to be the team to beat coming off their 2016 state championship, and the 2017 season should be no different. While the Eagles lost routine state champion contenders D’Jimon Jones and Mason Sallee, they will have a deep, veteran-laced roster once again for both the boys and girls this season. Athletes likely to step into leadership roles will be Eric Jones, Harry Steinmetz, Kemi Akinlosotu and Josephine Akinlosotu. Federal Way kicks off the 2017 outdoor season on March 16 as it hosts Tahoma.
Quotable: “I like where we are,” Federal Way coach Quinn Gillis said. “We’ve lost a few key pieces, but we have tradition and the athletes to have a good year.”
Thomas Jefferson Raiders
2016 record: 3-3
Key losses: Michael Johnson, Nathan Perri, Taylor Sterling, Lydia Wolfrom
Key returners: Rajesh Gill, Michael Nguyen, Jenna Appleton, Zoe Williams
Coaches: Paul Ruston, Lori Matthews, Michael Welch
The Thomas Jefferson Raiders have lost some major pieces from a season ago, but thanks to the examples they set, the Raiders have the athletes to fill those slots. While Michael Johnson and Nathan Perri graduated, Michael Nguyen and Christian Noakes are ready to carry the torch in the pole vault event this year. Jenna Appleton looks to be a contender at state for Jefferson in the same event. Zoe Williams has the ability and experience from her second-place finish in the javelin in the league championships to make a state run. The Raiders start the 2017 season on March 23 at home against Kent-Meridian.
Quotable: “We have some talented kids working with some talented coaches,” Jefferson athletic director Mike Grady said. “We should have some kids do some great things out there this year.”
Todd Beamer Titans
2016 record: 5-1
Key losses: Malik Messiah, Jalen Williams, Jessa Barth, Alyssa Mendoza
Key returners: Jacob Jex, Parker Edwards, Claire Hansen, Cristina Alvarez
Coaches: Jay Cardwell, Jen Williams
The Todd Beamer Titans are looking to build on the success of the 2016 season in 2017. Last year culminated with Malik Messiah, Jalen Williams and Claire Hansen all earning trips to compete for a state championship. Beamer coach Jay Cardwell said he expects the Titans to field a team of over 120 athletes this season. They will be fairly young in 2017 but have enough seniors on both sides to help balance the expected youth. Cardwell said Beamer should be competitive in all events.
Quotable: “I’m really interested to see how our distance kids will do this year,” Cardwell said. “I think that will be a real indicator as far as overall as a program and a team of how well we compete.”
