Murdock, McCormick strike gold in league meet

Back in the day, PF Flyers claimed its sports shoes could make athletes run faster and jump higher.

La Conner's Tommy Murdock does that regardless of what footwear he laces up.

The Braves junior, a reigning state hurdles champion, took top honors in three events at an NW1B/2B track and field meet hosted by Mount Vernon Christian Wednesday afternoon.

Murdock, as expected, swept both hurdles events at Mount Vernon. He won the 110s with a 0:15.81 clocking and captured the 300s in a 0:41.51 finish.

In addition, he placed first in the 100-meter dash, hitting the tape at 0:11.49.

Murdock's triple crown led the Braves to third place on the boys' team scoreboard with 95.5 points. Coupeville, with 209 points, ran away with the team title.

Coupeville likewise was the front-runner on the girls' side of the meet, collecting 198 points.

The Lady Braves, paced by freshman Maeve McCormick's victory in the long jump, finished fifth out of 10 schools with 34 points.

The La Conner quartet of Shaniquah Casey, Acelynd Greening, Addison Keller and Emily Smith teamed to place fourth in the girls' sprint relay. The 4x100 meter entry clocked a 1:03.03 finish time.

Addison Wigal claimed the bronze medal in the girls' javelin with a toss of 72'4.5". Smith took fifth in the long jump at 23' 0.5" Morgan Huizenga and Lydia Grossglass joined Wigal in the Top Ten of the javelin, placing sixth and eighth, respectively.

On the boys' side of the meet, Murdock was joined in the point parade by teammates Jacob Pommels, Isaac Kitchen, Isaiah Price, Flint Huizenga, Thomas Kitchen, Alexzander Martin and Kali Adams.

Pommels placed second in the 200 meters (0:23.89) and fifth in the 100 (0:11.65), then combined with Price, Adams and Thomas Kitchen for a silver medal in the 4x100 relay (0:46.41) and ran a leg of the Braves' second place 4x400 relay entry (3:54.58), joining Price, Huizenga and Isaac Kitchen.

Price also contributed a bronze medal finish in the javelin (122' 5").

Martin collected silver in the discus with his second-place throw measured at 121' 9".

La Conner resumes action following spring break April 12 at the Skagit Showdown in Sedro-Woolley.