Pope John Paul II High School girls track and field team wins state championship 

The Pope John Paul II High School girls track and field team won the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Gesa Credit Union State Championships in the 1B Division for the second time in three years.  

 Sophomore Ruby Henry won the 1,600 meter race and the 3,200 meter race for the second year in a row. Senior Ariel Brewer won her second state title in a row in the 800 meters and placed second in the 1,600 meter run, said the high school in announcing the results of the championships held at Zaepfel Stadium in Yakima from May 29-31.

Students from JP II won five of the eight podium spots in the 1,600 meter race with Lily Warne-Mcgraw placing fourth, Adeline Hecht in fifth and Isla Valpiani in eighth.  

The team also fared well in the 3,200 meter race with Hecht placing second, Brewer in third, Valpiani in seventh and Hecht in eight. 

Junior Amy Kondrat placed second in 300 meter hurdles.  In the 4x400 relay,  Hecht, Kondrat, Brewer and Henry placed second overall. In discus, junior Claire Larson took third.  

“It is tough to win one state individual title, let alone repeat as a state champion,” JPII track coach Larry Webber said in a statement. “Their success is a testament to their hard work, strong faith, and encouragement of one another.”  

The boys track team also had two winners, with Sophomore Kevin Hu placing third in the 1,600 meter race and fifth in the 3, 200 meter race. Also, Eric Hu finished seventh in the 1,600 meter run and sixth in the 3,200 meter race.  

“With a commanding performance across distance, hurdles, relays, and field events, the Eagles reaffirmed their place as one of Washington’s most dominant high school track programs,” said Caiti Schmitz, JPII communications director, in a statement.