EHS Track and Field athletes took Junction City high school by storm on May 13th and 14th for the Sky-Em League District Championships. Elmira left with a total of 17 PRs, 9 state qualifiers, and many other athletes placing in the top 8 of their events.
Nine athletes qualified for OSAA 4A State Championships. The championships will be held at Hayward Field on May 20th and May 21st. There will be a tour of the field on the Thursday before, so qualifiers can become familiar with where everything is.
The athletes to qualify for state are Bayden Wanaisie in triple jump with a PR of 42’11”, Alyssa Johnson in the 3000m with a season record of 11:02.73, Iris Frome in the 800m with a PR of 2:24.96, and Ashlyn Turnbo with a wild card for pole vault with a height of 9’0”.
Gavyn Laing qualified in the 200m with a time of 23.88 and long jump with a PR of 20’10”, as well as in the 4×100 along with Desmond Wilson, Isaiah Wilson, and Tanner Hunt with a PR of 44.50. Nio Turtura and Bayden Wanaisie qualified as alternates for the relay team.
Having both gone through injuries this season, seniors Gavyn Laing and Bayden Wanaisie say they’re surprised they made it to state, but that they’re excited to be able to compete at Hayward field.
This is not Laing or Wanasie’s first time going to state, but it will be their first time competing at the field. One thing Laing is especially looking forward to is the crowd’s encouragement and claps as he makes his jumps.
Both athletes thank their families, as well as their coaches Doug Laing and Bo Highburger for their support throughout the season. Laing advises athletes that “If challenges come your way, just persevere them because hard work rises above natural talent and that’s what you have to remember.”
Many athletes other than the nine state qualifiers placed top 8 and got to the podium including Claire Head, Destiny Smith, Shanie Bradburn, Olivia Fatooh, David Bay, the Girls 4×100 relay (Claire Head, Shanie Bradburn, Macaira Smith, and Ailea Hogue), the Girls 4×400 (Iris Frome, Olivia Fatooh, Mele Turtura, and Alyssa Johnson), the Boys 4×400 (Isaiah Wilson, Bayden Wanaisie, Garrett Flores, Greyson Stirling), Macaira Smith, Jacob Janezko, Trentyn Herbert, Tryston Rogers, and Mele Turtura.
Last Monday, May 16th, was the last track meet for all track and field athletes not continuing on to state. It was spent going over PRs, organizing the shed, moving old runway mats, and playing a track rendition of rock, paper, scissors and Ultimate Frisbee to close out the season.
