Passing the Baton: Bonney Lake Track & Field Honors Seniors in Final Home Meet

The Insider
22 hours ago
4 min read

The final home meet of the season felt bigger than just times and distances Thursday night at Bonney Lake High School.

It was about seniors taking one final lap around their home track. It was about teammates lining up for the senior tunnel, families filling the stands, and a symbolic passing of the baton to the next generation of Panthers.

And fittingly, Bonney Lake Track & Field delivered one of its strongest performances of the season in the process.

The Panthers girls varsity team dominated the meet with a commanding 91-50 victory over Yelm, while the Bonney Lake girls JV squad rolled to a 38-5 win. On the boys side, Yelm edged Bonney Lake 79-62 in varsity competition and 41-31 in JV, but the Panthers still turned in standout performances across nearly every discipline on the track and in the field.

According to one parent in attendance, the energy throughout the evening stayed high from start to finish as athletes celebrated Senior Night and closed out the home portion of the season together.

“The meet was amazing,” the parent shared afterward. “So many PRs were earned and the energy on the field was high. We had the senior tunnel and the passing of the baton to the juniors along with the senior recognition. Bottom line, it was a great way to end the season.”

For the Bonney Lake girls, the night belonged to both veteran leaders and emerging young stars.

Bonney Lake Panther star Latham West once again showed why she has become one of the most respected all-around athletes in the school. A standout three-sport athlete known for her relentless competitiveness no matter the season, West closed out her final home meet in dominant fashion by winning both the 800 meters with a personal-best time of 2:18.20 and the 1600 meters in 4:52.98.

Fellow senior Bianca Lloyd also delivered a huge night, taking second in the 100 meters before winning the long jump with a leap of 17-4.50.

In the throws, senior Jada Shipp, already well known around Bonney Lake for her presence on the volleyball court, added another memorable performance to her senior season by capturing first place in discus with a throw of 111-6 while also placing fifth in javelin. Senior Macy Linn added another strong senior performance by finishing second in the pole vault while earning a personal best mark.

But while the seniors took center stage, the Panthers’ future looked just as bright.

Freshman Layla Davisson exploded onto the sprint scene with victories in both the 100 meters and 400 meters, posting times of 13.12 and a personal-best 1:00.98. Sophomore Violet Overla swept the distance spotlight as well, finishing second in the 1600 before winning the 3200 in a season-best 12:36.57.

Bonney Lake also showcased its depth in the relays. The Panthers’ A team of Kenzie Guieb, Makenzie Walter, Erika Hewin, and Sloane Ottele won the 4x100 relay in 53.62, while the 4x200 relay team of Kamryn Davisson, Marley Joseph, Sloane Ottele, and Layla Davisson took first in 1:50.11.

The field events brought even more highlights for Bonney Lake. Abi Benigno won the javelin with a throw of 112-3.25, while Kamryn Davisson claimed first in the triple jump and tied for first in the high jump alongside Marley Joseph.

On the boys side, Bonney Lake may have come up short in the final team score, but the Panthers still produced several standout moments throughout the meet.

Junior Isaac Russell sprinted to victory in the 100 meters with a personal-best time of 11.43, edging teammate Desmond Cyphers in a Bonney Lake one-two finish. Cyphers also added a personal best in the 200 meters later in the meet.

Oliver Rabe captured first in the 400 meters with a personal-best 52.77, while senior Luke Brown delivered one of the biggest moments of the evening by winning the 300 hurdles in a personal-best 41.91 during his final home meet as a Panther.

The Panthers also dominated the relays. Bonney Lake swept the top two spots in the 4x400 relay, with both relay squads earning personal-best times, while the Panthers’ A team of Xavier Wise, Talin Wright, Austin Murray, and Isaac Russell captured first place in the 4x100 relay with a season-best time of 44.51.

In the field events, Colton Miller earned a personal-best throw of 124-8 to win the javelin, while Trey Rodde and Quinton Sagiao tied for first in the high jump after both cleared 6 feet. Sagiao’s mark also stood as a personal best.

Distance runners also continued to show growth late in the season. Freshman Jacob Bartenhagen placed second in the 1600 with a personal-best time of 4:55.66, while several younger Panthers across both teams posted PR performances throughout the evening.

As the meet came to a close and seniors gathered one final time on their home track, the atmosphere reflected exactly what Senior Night is meant to represent, honoring the athletes who helped build the program while celebrating the younger Panthers preparing to carry it forward.

On a night filled with PRs, relay wins, emotional moments, and senior recognition, Bonney Lake’s final home meet of the season felt less like an ending and more like the next chapter beginning.

Notable Personal Bests & Standout Performances

Latham West - Personal-best 2:18.20 in the 800 meters while also winning the 1600.
Layla Davisson - Personal-best 1:00.98 to win the 400 meters as a freshman.
Oliver Rabe - Personal-best 52.77 to capture first in the boys 400.
Luke Brown - Personal-best 41.91 to win the 300 hurdles on Senior Night.
Colton Miller - Personal-best throw of 124-8 to win the javelin.
Isaac Russell - Personal-best 11.43 to win the 100 meters.
Desmond Cyphers - Personal bests in both the 100 and 200 meters.
William Miller - Personal-best 2:09.36 in the 800 meters.
Jacob Bartenhagen - Personal-best 4:55.66 in the 1600.
Bonney Lake boys 4x100 relay - Season-best 44.51.
Bonney Lake boys A and B 4x400 relay teams - Both posted personal-best times.
Faye Nix and Macy Linn - Personal bests in pole vault.
Aiden Crawford - Personal-best throw in javelin.
Quinton Sagiao - Personal-best mark while tying for first in high jump.