The Pirate track and field team should have packed their rain gear, or perhaps even snorkel gear, for their most recent track meet. The Pirates endured a three-hour torrential downpour during the meet held at Orting last Thursday that sent athletes home begging for some chicken noodle soup. Seattle Christian, Cascade Christian and Life Christian also competed at the meet.

One benefit of participating in track and field is that meets rarely are cancelled due to weather, except for lightning. Besides, runners, jumpers and throwers, along with the coaches, are crazy enough to sometimes enjoy the type of weather conditions that Puget Sound has to offer up.

Despite the soggy weather, there were a few highlights for the Pirates in both boys and girls events, including a second-place finish by Madi Groen in the girls 800 meters in 2:45. Groen also placed third in the mile at 6:08.

Samantha Clements took second in the girls long jump with a leap of 14 feet, 4 inches, and she placed third in the triple jump as well.

Landon Summers had the only Pirate victory at the meet. He took first in the boys 800 in 2:15. Summers also placed third in the mile at 5:17.

Elan Peterson enjoyed third place so much that he did it in three of his events. He ran a 20.86 in the boys 110 high hurdles and ran a 49.3 in the boys 300-meter hurdles. He finished off the day with a long jump of 15 feet 11 inches.

It was a tough meet for the small Pirate troupe to earn team points.

In team scoring, Vashon’s girls team took fourth of five teams with 27 points. The Orting girls won with 145.

The Pirate boys took third of four boys teams at the meet with 29 points. Orting also took the boys meet with 145 points.

Next week is a bye week for the team. The next meet is scheduled for April 19 back at Orting.

— Kevin Ross is a track and field coach at Vashon High School.