The Mercer Island High School track and field team put on a stellar performance Wednesday afternoon at Juanita High School, competing against host Juanita and Lake Washington in a high-energy, three-school meet. The Islanders posted an astounding 134 personal records (PRs) and 27 season records (SRs), showcasing the team’s depth, growth, and momentum as the season builds.
Boys Team Delivers Across the Board
The boys has an impressive effort on the track. In the 100 meters, Nicholas Castaneda (PR) led the way with a 3rd-place finish in 38.24. Hudson Sulla (PR), Kainoa Brown (PR), Owen Clarkson (PR), Neiso Castellanos (PR), Kai Baze (PR), Zizi Song (PR), Tino Mvududu (SR), Bowen Zhu (PR), Sean Hogan (PR), Lorenzo Santana (PR), Denis Vaganov (PR), Timothy Liao (PR), Mason Jan (SR), Matthew Strong (PR), Natan Danielli (PR), Sean Brender (PR), Matthew Duffie (PR), Kolby Varnes (PR), Tucker Sharples (SR), Chase Greenfield (PR), Samuel Paddor (PR), Jeffrey Yeh (PR), Vinh Nguyen (PR), and Amanuel Bergquist (PR) all hit new personal or season bests in the event.
In the 110m and 300m Hurdles, Laszlo McKenna placed 5th and notched PRs. Nelson Castellanos also ran to a PR in the 300m Hurdles.
In the 1600 meters, Connor Ward (PR) claimed 1st in 4:30.8. Brody Newcomer (SR), Zoli Thomas (PR), Kai Bergman (PR), Jonah Lynch (PR), Aiden Hockenstein (PR), Milo McJannet (PR), Ian Carmichael (PR), and Leo Saloranta (PR) also recorded new bests.
In the 200 meters, Thomas Gallagher (SR) placed 6th, while Kainoa Brown (PR), Ben O’Connell (PR), Zizi Song (PR), Lorenzo Santana (PR), Brendon McGuire (PR), Jonah Battema (PR), Timother Liao (PR), Denis Vaganov (PR), Isiah McBride (PR), Simon Joseph (PR), Matthew Strong (SR), Samuel Paddor (PR), Jeffrey Yeh (PR), Milo Recchi (SR), Chip Dubois (PR), showed continued improvement.
In the 3200 meters, Massimo Maggiani (PR) led with a win in 11:11.4. Brody Newcomer (PR), Leo Saloranta (PR), and Kai Bergman (PR) also ran lifetime bests.
The 400 meters saw Alexander Dusseau take 3rd. Matthew Greer (PR), Finn Bunker (PR), Bowen Zhu (PR), Chase Kelly (PR), Nicolas Castaneda (PR), Zane Shiers (PR), Charlie Prophater (PR), and Ayomide Osidipe (PR) hit personal marks.
In the 800 meters, Connor Ward (SR) returned to place 2nd. Wyatt Burkey (PR), Johan Lynch (PR), and Charlie Prophater (PR) added strong runs.
Aidin Azeem earned 2nd in the discus at 112’10”, and Ari Wolff (PR), Samo Lassila (PR), Eliyahu Shapiro (PR), Albert Pyo (PR), Chase Greenfield (PR), and Alexander Affolter (PR) also notched a new mark. In high jump, Alexander Dusseau cleared 5’8″ for 3rd, while Zizi Song (PR) and Neiso Castellanos (PR) added a personal best.
In javelin, Brendan McGuire (PR) led with 106’5″, and Isaiah McBride, Samo Lassila, Amanuel Berquist, Matthew Duffie and Eliyahu Shapiro joined the PR club.
In the long jump, Neiso Castellanos (PR) placed 2nd with 18’7″, with Sean Hogan, Kolby Varnes, Natan Danielli, and Vinh Nguyen jumping farther than ever before.
Owen Clarkson took the pole vault title at 13’0″, while Milo McJannet, Simon Fang, Tucker Sharples, Sean Bender and Neiso Castellanos also cleared new PR heights.
Ari Wolff tossed the shot put 38’9″ for 5th, and Chase Kelly, Samo Lassila, Kai Blaze, and Vinh Luu saw great PR improvements. Nikolas Goodrum triple jumped to 33’7.75″ for 4th.
Girls Team Brings Energy and Execution
In the 100 meters, Aaliyah Khan (PR) sprinted to 1st place with a 24.00. Hanna Lassila (PR), Sibella Benninghoff (SR), Alana Precht (PR), Emma Moore (PR), Ashley Levitt (PR), Megan Opati (PR), and Hannah Will (PR) all posted their best marks.
Sarina Sawhney was a four-event standout, winning the 100 Meters Adaptive (9:36.0), Discus Adaptive (34’10”, PR), Javelin Adaptive (34’4″, PR), and Shot Put Adaptive (17’6.5″, PR), demonstrating elite versatility and focus.
In the 100m Hurdles, Sequoia Bales placed 2nd. Clara Moore (SR) set a new season mark. Anna Carson (SR) placed 4th in the 300m Hurdles and Emma Moore landed a PR.
Dora Cheng (SR) placed 4th in the 1600 meters with a 5:34.1 and Savanna Rousell, June Bailey, Elsa Bergman, and Olivia Nicholson all registered PRs. Katie Kolpa (PR) won the 3200 meters in 11:35.5. Ella Zhang (PR) finished 3rd in the 800 meters at 2:33.8 while Dora Cheng, Elsa Bergman, Isabelle Capinpin, Savanna Rousell, June Bailey, Olivia Nicholson and Bella Chaparro all ran their lifetime best.
Maddie O’Brien placed 2nd in the 400m followed by Hanna Lassila in 3rd (PR). Saira Ghodke snagged a PR and Sophia Sung an SR in the 400m.
Maia Shook (PR) was 3rd in the 200 meters and the Islanders saw a bunch of PRs including Vivian Lim, Alexandra Foss, Alana Precht, Serafina Trotta, and Hannah Will.
In field events, Sibella Benninghoff won the high jump at 4’8″ and Vivian Lim notched a PR. Kiera Kelly (SR, PR) earned 3rd in discus (85’6″) with Saron Michael tossing a PR. Kiera Kelly (PR) placed 4th in shot put (28’7.5″). Alisha Khan (PR) placed 2nd in long jump at 15’11”, and Kate Thomas, Ashley Levitt, Serafina Trotta jumped for PRs.
Alana Precht (PR) vaulted 9 feet for 2nd and Emma Moore has a personal best and Isabella Nelson flew to a season record.
Sophia Sung (PR) flew to 2nd place in triple jump at 29’5″ and Amelia Sung leapt to a PR. Aailyah Khan won the Javelin with a 117 feet and 8 inch (PR) performance and Natalie Kennedy threw for a PR.
Relay Teams Finish Strong
Mercer Island’s relays closed out the meet in high form. The boys’ 4×100 featured Nicholas Castaneda, Alexander Dusseau, David James JR, and Hudson Sulla. The girls’ team of Scout Bates, Sibella Benninghoff, Simone Shenoi, and Madeline Schubert also brought the energy.
Maia Shook was also part of the winning 4×200 relay team with Alisha Khan (PR), Anna Carson (SR), and Dahlia Usman coming in at 01:52.5. The 4×400 relay capped things off, with Alexander Dusseau, Rhydian Battersby, Matthew Greer, and Finn Bunker winning for the boys, and Vivian Lim, Maddie O’Brien, Sofia Loop, and Hanna Lassila placing 2nd for the girls.
Looking Ahead
With a total of 134 PRs and 27 SRs, the Islanders showed they’re peaking at the right time. This meet highlighted not only individual talent but the collective effort of a team pushing each other to new heights. The squad now turns its attention to the next challenge on April 23 when Mercer Island hosts the Newport Knights.
There also is a small contingent of track stars heading to the famed Arcadia Invitational in Arcadia, California this weekend. Go Islanders!
