Sarah Taylor, left, and Crystal Bell, pictured at the WIAA 2B state meet, serve as co-head coaches for the Ilwaco track program.
PATRICK WEBBWhile many of Ilwaco’s best track athletes from last year’s 2B state meet graduated, Ayden Woodby competed as a junior.
He earned the second-place medal in the 400 meters.
And coach Sarah Taylor is welcoming him back to the Fishermen track squad as the season begins. Also returning is Mya Cunningham, a sophomore who earned a 4x400 relay medal with three seniors last year.
Taylor is also welcoming Jacob Mathison, who was Ilwaco’s lone qualifier for the state cross country meet last fall, finishing in the middle of the pack.
Zach Jewell and Andrew Gaerlan are also expected to contribute in field events. “We have some junior throwers who have been working hard since their freshman year, so it would be nice to see that pay off,” the coach said.
Joining them will be senior Bethany Martin, who turned out for football and wrestled this winter, missing state qualification by one place.
“She has been working hard in track all four years,” Taylor said. “We are also excited to see some new faces and freshmen come out this spring.”
Taylor will again serve as co-head coach with Crystal Bell. Kyle Jewell is the throwing coach. They work closely with the middle school track coaches, Melissa Nesbit and Matt Miller.
“We are very excited,” said Taylor. “We are looking forward to working with a good group of student athletes; some returning, some new. It will be great to have a mix.”
The season begins March 16 at North Beach and Ilwaco has two home meets (March 30 and May 2) en route to the May 25-27 state meet. This year’s finale will be at Eisenhower High School in Yakima, a change from the usual venue at Eastern Washington University in Cheney.
“Our league is very strong in track, every team usually has a few — or more — outstanding athletes, which make meets very fun to compete in,” Taylor added. “Good opponents push us all season, then at the end of the year it is fun to cheer for all the southwest Washington athletes at the state championships.”
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