For the third time this season, the Pirates made themselves at home on the campus of Charles Wright Academy for their track and field meet with the Tarriers and the four other schools who make up the Nisqually League on April 30.

Prior to the competition, the Pirates recognized the 11 seniors who represent the VHS program. They were accompanied out to the track by their parents and presented flowers by head Coach Marcella Murphy. The seniors acknowledged were  Emily Browne, Mason Carter,  Aaron Kitchener, Jason Kruly, Nate Lawson, Anna Ryckman, Joe Shugart, Bryn Justis, Lily Voynick, Quinn Weber and Henry Clark.

“This group of seniors has been a pleasure,” said head coach Marcella Murphy. They are hard workers, display great sportsmanship and have a great sense of team camaraderie.”

Coach Murphy also noted that it was sad that the team had to have its senior night celebration at Charles Wright when every other team at Vashon High School gets to be honored in front of its home fans.

“Our decrepit facility makes it unsafe and impossible to have a home meet,” she said. “It’s a shame that these kids work so hard, but never get a home meet.”

At the competition, the girls’ team scoring was tight with 13 points separating the first four team places in this six-team meet. Bellevue Christian won with 90 points. The Pirates placed third with 79 points. The boys’ team had a tough day and were outmatched as they took fifth of five teams.

Freshman Gerry Gerrior placed third in the 100 meters in 12.01; fellow freshman Hunter Justis in his first-ever attempt in the 300-meter hurdles placed fifth with a time of 50.66; senior Mason Carter took fourth in the boys’ long jump with a leap of 16 feet, 2 inches.

The girls’ team crossed the finish line with several place winners. Junior Annika Hille placed first in the 100 meters in 13.17. Hille also placed second in the 200 meters in 26.59. Freshman Eva Anderson took first in the girls’ mile with a time of 6:01. Anderson in her first attempt in the 300-meter hurdles placed second in 56.20. Sophomore Kat Andrus placed first in the triple jump at 35 feet, 6 inches. Andrus also placed second in the long jump and javelin. Senior Emily Browne finished in second place in the discus with a throw of 77 feet, 2 inches. Browne also placed second in the triple jump at 31 feet 2 inches. Hille,  Browne, Andrus  and Annie Muller represented the Pirate 4×100-meter relay team that took second place with a time of 51.71.

On Saturday, May 2,  the Pirates traveled to Interlake High School for the Bellevue Christian invitational. The girls’ team placed fourth. Freshman Hunter Justis placed 10th out of 40 competitors in the boys’ mile in a time of 5:07. Freshman Julian Cross set a personal best in the javelin with a throw of 103 feet, 2 inches. Sophomore Annie Muller set a personal best in the girls’ 100-meter hurdles with a time of 18.66.

The Pirates final regular season meet is this afternoon at West Seattle Stadium.

— Kevin Ross is the assistant track and field coach.