On Thursday, April 27, the Bellarmine Track and Field Team hosted the Emerald Ridge Jaguars for the first track of sunny, warm spring. Unfortunately, the Lions came second to the jaguars in points scored, with the men’s teams scoring ER-74, Bellarmine-52, and the women’s teams scoring ER-71 and Bellarmine-56. While not a team win, the scores are an improvement over previous track meets against Bonney Lake, Puyallup, and Sumner. Additionally, numerous athletes were able to achieve personal records in their events, with many poised to reach league in the coming weeks.

In the distance runs, the Lions left the competition in the dust to take first place in all four events. In the Men’s Varsity 800 meter run, seniors Roman Thomas and junior Will Yearian finished first and second respectively. Bellarmine boys also took the top two in the 1600 meter run with Owen Heisl and Sam Walker, with Levi Wyszynski placing fourth. On the girls’ side, Alison Whalen took first and Tessa Zika finished third in the Varsity 800 meters, while Ava Borsheim and Tessa Zika placed top two in the Varsity 1600 meters.

The Lions swept the podium in the boys hurdles, with seniors Jonas and Jordan Salazar and freshman Tristan Cornell taking top three in both the 110 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles.

In the relays, the lions kept the heat on the jaguars by taking second in both the Men’s and Women’s 100 meter relays, while the girls took first in the 200 meter relays. Continuing their supremacy of the distance run, the lions took first in both sets of the 400 meter relays, the most grueling race of the meet. Freshman Ava Harrison, juniors Alison Whalen and Ava Borsheim, and senior Kenzie Fisher left the jaguars in the dust for the girls, while on the boys side sophomore Bryce Kiguru, junior Will Yearian, and seniors Roman Thomas and Parish Kerr took top spot on the podium.

The lions struggled against  E.R. when it came to field events, but nonetheless sophomores John Hungerford and Lauren Hutchinson represented the lower classmen to take first in the javelins throws.

With the boys from both schools skipping the triple jumps, it was up to the girls to close the meet, with the Bellarmine girls taking all three spots respectively through juniors Rutendo Guzha and Beatrice Hunt, and senior Alexia Hicks.

The Lions have one more track meet left on Friday, May 5, hosting the Gig Harbor Tides. After the regular season, students who finish in the top 16 for their respective events will qualify for league. To support Bellarmine seniors and varsity track athletes, show up to the bowl and show your lion pride on May 5.