We have finally hit one of the most favorite times of the year in high school sports: postseason.
It couldn't get any better than to see all the hard work these student athletes put in all season long to get where they are, and hopefully continue their successful paths to the state tournament.
In this case, the road to the state meet begins this week for all classifications in the state of Washington.
Because it is postseason, these upcoming meets will have some fantastic races, especially on the distance side, that will go down to the wire and will show who has more heart, more guts, and more pride.
With that being said, let's take a look at some potential pre-state match-ups everyone should keep their eye out for.
Joe Waskom and Luke Houser - KingCo 3,200 Championship
Soon to be teammates at the University of Washington next fall, Mount Si's Joe Waskom and Woodinville's Luke Houser will meet in their final KingCo Championships as two of the top 3,200 runners in the state. Waskom raced against Houser down at the Arcadia Invite in the 3,200 earlier this year beating him by almost 20 seconds running a personal best 8:56.52. In all 11 previous meetings, Waskom has never lost to Houser in the 3,200. Don't let the record fool you though, Houser is having his best year in track running three personal best times, and a 3,200 P.R. is in the making.
Prediction: Joe Waskom Wins
Olivia and Andrea Markezich and Macenna Hansen - Emerald City League 1,600 and 3,200 Championship
So far this season, Bear Creek's Andrea Markezich has been a force on the track at the 1A level. With her recent 3,200 win at the Shoreline Invite, this builds a big confidence booster for her heading into the Emerald City League Championships. Her twin sister, Olivia, has made quite the comeback in recent weeks having run 5-minutes for the 1,600 at Shoreline after dealing with an early season injury that kept her from racing. Olivia has the speed while Andrea has the endurance so there could be a split between the two. But, don't forget about Northwest's Macenna Hansen. After a rough cross country season this past fall, Hansen has put up great times in the 1,600 (5:13.98) and the 3,200 (11:10.04) and can be a dark horse in the 3,200 race.
Prediction: Olivia Markezich Wins (1,600), Andrea Markezich Wins (3,200)
Riley McDowell and Joseph Skoog - 4A WESCO 3,200 Championship
Jackson's Joseph Skoog made a name for himself when he won the cross country district race last fall, but this track season, Glacier Peak's Riley McDowell has been in the spotlight. Both boy's are ranked in the top 20 at the 4A level in the 3,200 with McDowell at 13th and Skoog at 20th. When McDowell and Skoog met earlier this season in the 3,200, it was a seven second differential at the end with McDowell taking the win in 9:25.16. On paper, with the number of wins and performances McDowell has had this season, he should be the favorite. However, Skoog has shown to make some big surprises towards the end of the year. This will be a tight battle that will come down to the final few laps.
Prediction: Joseph Skoog Wins
Taylor Roe and Brooke Wallace - 4A WESCO 1,600 Championship
Two sub 5-minute milers in one race? You couldn't' have asked for a better one to watch as Lake Stevens' Taylor Roe and Glacier Peak's Brooke Wallace run in their final WESCO Track and Field Championships. The No. 1 and 3 1,600 meter runners at the 4A level will more likely than not break the 5 minute barrier again this week. But who is going to be the one out front? In her four year career, Roe has only lost one time in the 1,600, and has won two state championships in it. Wallace joins the sub 5-minute club after her outstanding performance at the Shoreline Invite as she ran 4:56.93. When you look at the big picture, it's hard not to pick someone to win the 1,600 who has run under 5 minutes 22 times like Lake Steven's Roe has.
Prediction: Taylor Roe Wins
What else is out there?
Girl's 3,200 at Metro League Championships
Luke Knoblich and Alex Williams - Sno/King 2A 1,600 Championships
1A District 1 Boy's 1,600 and 3,200 Championship
Sam Geiger and Daniel Maton - GSHL District 1 1,600 Championships
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