PORT ORCHARD — Senior Cody Bradwell joined a growing cadre of athletes this week as he etched his name into the record books for the North Kitsap Vikings track and field team.
On the first day of the Narrows League Championships Wednesday, Bradwell set the North Kitsap High set school record in the 800 meter dash, with time of 1:55.69. He broke Dan Wold’s school record of 1:56.6, which was set in 1940. (Bradwell competed in the 800M final yesterday, but as of press time results were unavailable.)
To put the feat in perspective, Wold’s record literally has stood the test of time as 12 different U.S. presidents have served in the Oval Office since Wold set the record in 1940.
The record belongs to Bradwell now.
“I still don’t think it’s hit me yet,” Bradwell said. “When I was coming down the final stretch I saw the clock say 1:50. When I crossed the line I was thinking I might have the record.”
He was right.
Making Bradwell’s record even more remarkable, is the fact that he didn’t even start running the 800M again until two weeks ago.
“Two weeks when we ran against Bellarmine was the first time I ran the 800 since I was in the ninth grade,” he said.
Vikings coach Dave Snyder was thrilled to see Bradwell etch his name into Viking lore forever.
“Cody did it all through effort and hard work. He never settled for anything,” Snyder said. “He’s a motivated individual who wanted to be the best and who isn’t afraid of anything. He’s a great kid, too. His work habits and character define him. He’s one of our leaders.”
The top seven finishers in the finals of each event at the Narrows League Championships for both the boys and girls squads will advance to the West Central District Track and Field Championships at Mount Tahoma High School on May 18 and 19. The majority of the track events were preliminary races on Wednesday. All field events finals took place on Wednesday.
On the boys side, Zac Simmons advanced to the finals in 400M with a time of 51.62 in the prelims. Simmons is an odds on favorite to advance to the West Central District Championships at Mount Tahoma.
The boys 1600M relay team of Bradwell, Simmons, Levi Pixton, and Nick Cameron earned third place in the prelims with a time of 3:28.59. It’s the best time the quartet has put forth this season.
“If we stay healthy and keep working on our handoffs, we will have a good shot at not only making it to state, but being a competitor at state,” Bradwell said. “That’s really important to us.”
Bradwell also earned seventh place in the 3200M final, earning a spot at districts.
Junior Aaron Bilbao took third place in the pole vault finals, advancing to districts.
In girls action, the 800M relay team of KC Fossum, Kelly Cates, Jodee Mitchell, and Christine Parker nabbed fourth place in the prelims clocking a time of 1:52.8. Parker took eighth place in 100M hurdles, earning a chance to compete in the finals.
Senior Jade Niemeyer hurled the discus far enough for a fourth place finish in the finals. Sophomore Anika Kramberger also advanced, nabbing a sixth place finish in the discus.
Fossum leapt 5 feet, 2 inches off the ground which was good for second place finish in the high jump. Anika Kramberger also advanced in the high jump.
“KC broke her own personal record,” Snyder said. “Last year, she got injured and this year she’s doing really well in her senior year.”
Fossum said she has her eye set on making it to the state tournament in a few weeks.
“My goal is to get 5 feet, 4 inches,” she said. “I really have been stretching a lot lately and its helped me get more arch on my jumps. Usually when I jump, I am always missing a piece of my technique. Right now it’s all coming together. I am excited for the rest of the season.”
