On April 19, the Issaquah Track and Field team had their eighth meet of this season, hosting Skyline and Bellevue high schools at home. Past the south end zone of the football field, the girls’ team members competing in jumping field events (high jump, long jump, pole vault, and triple jump) began competing in their events right at the start of the meet. They did well; by the end of the meet, the girls’ jumpers had collectively made five personal records at the event. Unfortunately, the Issaquah girls’ jumpers lost to Skyline, with total points for those field events adding up to 8-16.

Although many athletes seemed disappointed by the loss, they did face many challenges at the meet that made their successes all the more impressive. The weather, for example, was certainly a challenge. In chilly 45-degree temperatures, the athletes performed through both bouts of rain and streams of blinding sunlight, sometimes simultaneously. They did not let this hamper their performance, however. Sophomore Presley Boettcher shared, “I did pretty well, not my best but well, especially with the weather.” Boettcher, who competed in the long jump, triple jump, and 100-meter sprint events, in fact competed very well. She placed fifth in the long jump event, and placed second in triple jump, with a 27’ 8.75” distance that set a new season record for the Issaquah girls’ triple jump team. This was Boettcher’s first time competing in the triple jump event this season. She said, “I had fifteen minutes of practice the day before [the meet]. I have not been super on it, but I cannot wait to get better with practice.”

This is something unique about track and field athletics. With so many events, many athletes are able to try different things, discover in which events they excel, and step out of their comfort zones. Coach Niall Wachtman said, “That is a measure of success that reflects hard work and a willingness to learn new things. I could not be more proud of all of [my athletes].” Wachtman always tells the Issaquah players, “Work hard, work smart, enjoy the journey, and focus on doing what you do best, rather than letting what someone else is doing rent space in your head.” This open method of competing gives many track and field athletes the opportunity to set new goals for themselves and continuously improve. For example, sophomore Sole Miller, who competed pole vault, shared, “Each week I want to get a new personal record, that is something I work towards.” Miller has maintained or improved her scores at each meet. She also is interested in trying high jump in the future, something she can do because of track and field’s flexibility.

All in all, the Issaquah field team is on track to have a great rest of their season. You can come support our amazing student athletes at their next Issaquah School District meet, on Thursday, May 4 at home!