One of the largest regional high school track meets, held every spring at Montgomery High, found a compact but ready cohort of Healdsburg Greyhounds in the thick of the competition, especially in middle distance running, last weekend.
“We brought the intent and spirit of our full team of 42 athletes to the Viking Classic, although only 17 were able to compete due to illness and family commitments over the holiday weekend,” said coach Kate Guthrie. “Those who stepped on the track or into the field did so with purpose, representing the work ethic and culture we’ve built this season.”
The Viking Classic has been held for over 30 years now, and now some 60 high schools take part in the full range of track and field activities all day long. The sheer number of competitors means multiple heats in most events must be run, with final standings usually depending on timed results rather than head-to-head competition.
The event is now officially named the Bryan Bradley, after a Montgomery running coach who died working out with his team in 2021. He was 43. Hanne Thomsen, one of the area’s top female runners in this class of athletes, was a freshman when Bradley died; she is now a senior.
Thomsen demonstrated once again that she is currently one of the state’s top runners, delivering a personal best in the 800m race of 2:09.4, a new area record, in an exciting two-lap race that saw her come from behind to win.
Greyhounds at the Classic
The Greyhounds scored no wins in the crowded Viking competition, but made their presence felt. Kaeden Anderson, who as a sophomore two years ago burned up the track in the longer races, was a non-factor for much of his junior year due to injury, but has steadily and rapidly improved this year.
At the Viking Classic, he set personal records in the 1600m with a time of 4:24.76, and in the 3200m with a 9:43.36. He finished sixth in both races.
Jake McWilliams, a junior usually just a few steps behind a healthy Anderson, also had a good meet with a 10th-place 2:01.93 in the 800m.
Another very strong local runner was Windsor’s Corbin Post, who finished first in the 1600m with a 4:18.34 and second in the 3200m with a 9:30.32. The sophomore is clearly one to keep an eye on for the next two years in local track.
Other Healdsburg track finishers included Lucas Welty, a freshman, who delivered a 9:43.36 in the 3200m, placing ninth. Guthrie said that Welty “showed growth and maturity in racing strategy. His commitment to racing with poise and patience is paying dividends—and the clock is noticing.”
The field sports saw Jasper Teague, a freshman, clearing 6 feet zero inches in the high jump to take second in the varsity division—”a fearless performance that hints at his future potential,” Guthrie said. Though he came in 10th in the long jump, his 19-foot-4-inch leap was another personal record, 4 inches longer than his winning jump in the April 2 Piner duel in Healdsburg.
Distaff Talent
On the girls team, another freshman making herself seen is Justina Domenichelli, who ran a personal record of 13.17 in the 100m and 28.75 in the 200m, positioning herself well for a run at placing in the NBL Championship.
Guthrie also called attention to freshman Delainey Cornilsen, whose 4-feet-8-inches in the high jump was 4 inches higher than the jump that got her second place in the recent meet with Piner. Her finishing time in the 400m race, 1:05.73, marked another personal best.
Jane Perrill, another freshman, is showing improved times in her long sprints of 200m-800m. “Jane has a finishing gear that turns heads—watch her in the final 100 meters of any race,” Guthrie said.
“This group is growing—not just in times and distances—but in confidence, resilience and identity,” Guthrie added. “And we haven’t even begun to taper yet. There is so much more in store.”
Next up for the Greyhound athletes is a competition at Ukiah on Wednesday this week (results too late for press time), followed by an April 30 meet in Healdsburg against Rancho Cotate.
