Renton boys track takes second in state behind state titles by Armin Basic and Ronnielle Kelly-Battles

By Adam McFadden • May 31, 2009 11:14 pm
Renton's Tevin Ponders clears a hurdle in the 110-meter race. Ponders finished fourth in the state.
Renton's Tevin Ponders clears a hurdle in the 110-meter race. Ponders finished fourth in the state.

The Renton boys track team finished second at the 3A state track meet this weekend. The Indians scored 38 points, behind only North Central’s 52.

Senior Armin Basic led the way with a state title in the discus and a runner-up finish in the shot put. Basic blew away the discus field, tossing 175 feet, five inches – nearly 22 feet farther than second place. The throw was a personal best by nine feet.

But Basic isn’t Renton’s only state champion. Ronnielle Kelly-Battles took the state title in the long jump, reaching a distance of 23 feet, 3.25 inches. Kelly-Battles edged second place by two and a half inches. He also placed fourth in the triple jump.

Senior Tevin Ponders placed fourth in the 110-meter high hurdles, just 0.01 second out of third place. Ponders also ran in the 300 hurdles at state.

Renton’s 4X100 relay team placed 10th in the preliminaries. Ponders, Kelly-Battles, Robert Reeves III and Marcus Clinton ran in the event.

Renton’s 4X400 placed 14th in the preliminaries. Gary Hay, Kelly-Battles, P.J. Benedictus and Ponders ran in the event.

Benedictus placed 12th in the long jump, reaching a distance of 20 feet, 6.5 inches.

Be sure to check Monday for all girls results, Liberty and Lindbergh results, plus photos and even more analysis of the state meet.