Track athletes to hit ‘stride’ this season | Spring sports preview

By Heather Spaulding • March 17, 2017 7:09 am
Heather Spaulding/Staff Photo Bottom row left to right: Ana Sanabria, Annamarie Thomas, Jaclyn Domenech, Adriena Pew, Ciera Bailey, Kendra Cliffton, Joanna Evans, and Katie Place. Top row left to right: Head Coach Darrin Scheffer, Lupita Garcia, Jacob Kaden, Tiwan Shaller, Claudio Ochoa, Sara Rist, Arlo Harold, Chris Hallock, Kenny Hallock, Dustin Rhower, Zach Porter, Matt Stromberg, Henry Duke, Max Maddox, Pablo Toban, and Luke Erickson, Assistant Coach Herb Mason
Heather Spaulding/Staff Photo Bottom row left to right: Ana Sanabria, Annamarie Thomas, Jaclyn Domenech, Adriena Pew, Ciera Bailey, Kendra Cliffton, Joanna Evans, and Katie Place. Top row left to right: Head Coach Darrin Scheffer, Lupita Garcia, Jacob Kaden, Tiwan Shaller, Claudio Ochoa, Sara Rist, Arlo Harold, Chris Hallock, Kenny Hallock, Dustin Rhower, Zach Porter, Matt Stromberg, Henry Duke, Max Maddox, Pablo Toban, and Luke Erickson, Assistant Coach Herb Mason

A Wolverine alum himself, Darrin Scheffer began coaching middle school track nearly 20 years ago. When he was offered the Friday Harbor High School track and field coach gig, Scheffer couldn’t turn it down.

“It offers so many different opportunities for athletes,” Scheffer said, explaining his love for the sport. He added that track is unique because it allows each student to perform individually yet still be an integral part of a team. Athletes can compete in events like shot put, discus, javelin, long and high jumping, hurdles, as well as rely, sprinting and long distance running just to name a few.

He also noted that track is the only sport many of these students choose to play.

Scheffer said last year was incredibly successful, finishing the season with nine athletes going to state.

This year, his goal is simple, working with the athletes to improve the skills they already have, to have more of them compete in the state tournament.

The team has seven freshmen, but all of them, according to Scheffer, were active in middle school track, so they have experience in their events.

“The team has already really been putting an effort in,” Scheffer said, noting that the students have been extremely driven so far. “I’m really excited by what I’ve seen during the start week.”

Scheffer pointed out a few rising stars. Junior Ciera Bailey excels in relay, and she is considering taking on some other events. Senior Sarah Rist has gone to state in the javelin for the last two years, and Scheffer has high expectations from her this year as well. Joining her in the javelin this year will also be senior Matt Stromberg. Sophomore Kyle Mapstead is recovering from an injury but will begin to work on the high jump soon.

“I am looking for all of these to be having the opportunity to better their marks and have a chance to go beyond league play,” said Scheffer. “The whole team has such potential.”

The first meet, for both girls and boys, will be 3:30 p.m., March 15 in La Conner, according to the league website, and the first home meet, in Friday Harbor, will be March 29, at 4:15 p.m.

Boys & Girls Track Schedule

Various schools particpate in each match

3-15 @ La Conner 3:30

3-23 @ Concrete 3:30

3-29 @ Friday Harbor 1:00

4-8 Solberg Invitational

@ Civic Field 10:00

4-11 @ Mt. Vernon 3:30

4-22 @ Snohomish TBD

4-29 BCS Invitational TBD