Rik Cumps takes first in the long jump with a jump of 17 feet one inch in Ketchikan. (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Pawuk)

Petersburg High School’s track teams opened their competitive season at an invitational meeting Friday and Saturday at the Ester Shay track in Ketchikan. The boys team took third of four teams behind Ketchikan and Sitka while the girls were fourth of five with Ketchikan, Sitka and Haines taking the top spots. In individual events Petersburg athletes had some top three finishes in Ketchikan.

Joe Viechnicki spoke with coach James Valentine about the first competition for his teams.

The teams have this weekend off from competition and next travel to Juneau in early May. The regional meet is back in Ketchikan in a little under a month.