NOLAN VAN AMEN
By Terry Mosher
Editor, Sports Paper
South Kitsap is becoming a track and field power capable of winning the state 4A boys championship this year. If they do contend for a title, the Wolves will do it on the back of an excellent throwing contingent, ‑ Nolan Van Amen and Cole Sunkel – and one the state’s best middle distance runner – Mason Villarma – and a slew of sprinters who make up a 1600 relay team that is one of the fastest in the state.
All of the above performers pushed South Kitsap to the boys’ championship of the 27th Eason Invitational Saturday (April 18) at Snohomish. The Wolves won by 20 points over runner-up Arlington.
Villarma, who missed most of last season with an ankle injury, moved his West Sound best in the 800 to 1:54.02 while winning the event at the invitational. He also ran the first leg of the 1600 relay that finished a close second to Skyline in a West Sound best time of 3:24.64. Albert MacArthur ran the second leg for the Wolves and Troy Delgado and Izaijha Byrd closed the relay.
Van Amen, just a sophomore, doubled up by winning the shot put at 55.08.75 and the discus with a toss of 165-08. His shot put effort is the best in West Sound. He leads West Sound in the discus with a personal best 171-03.
MacArthur did more than his part by taking second in the long jump with a season-best 21-08.75 and placing fourth in the triple jump at 42-11.
Sunkel won the javelin with a toss of 179-04.
South Kitsap senior Shannon Laupola scored all eight of the Wolves points in the Girls’ team race by placing third in the javelin (119-03) and seventh in the discus (101-08).