Issaquah Women’s Track led the Eastlake Wolfpack 94 to 47 in the dual meet on April 17. As Head Coach Mike Cobb says, “The money was in the bank, time to cash it in.”
As per usual, Issaquah’s runners swept the long distance races. For top runners, regular meets are a great time to strategize, so sometimes coaches assign a “tempo” run: running at a comfortably hard pace for a sustained period of time. This was not the case for today. Runners were putting it all on the line, in an effort to improve their times for the upcoming event, the Oregon Relays at Hayward Field. In the 1600, Issaquah swept top five. Junior Georgia Short ran a 5:37, junior Riley Eberhardt ran 5:33, sophomore Clara Michael ran a 5:27 and freshman Sally Davis ran 5:19, a personal record. Senior Jane Harig came in first with a 5:18. After winning the mile, Harig said, “Track meets are already fun but a dual meet is even more fun because you simultaneously feel the inspiration and confidence that comes from a strong sense of school spirit.”
Issaquah also swept the relays and the hurdles. Highlights included a personal record for sophomore Erin Chollman in the 100 meter hurdles, finishing in 18.13, and a PR for freshman Ella Miller of 52.68.
Sprinters were not as successful as long distance against Eastlake. The Wolves took three spots in the top five for the 100 meter. Issaquah’s Kylie Pachuilo took second with 13.65, and Kammarie Spencer came in fourth with 13.88. Things looked more optimistic in the 200 meter race: Junior Sena Pittman led with 26.08 and Kammarie Spencer followed with 28.15, a PR. Incredibly, Issaquah swept the top 10 in the 400 meter. Junior Sena Pittman, senior Illora Farren, and sophomore Nora Doyle-Newe led.
Harig says, “The best part is at the end of the meet, during the last event, the 4×4, when everyone lines the curve to cheer for the people racing.” Senior Faith Dougherty added, “There’s something about track that meets that inspires people, watching all those PRs makes you want to race.” Track is unique in the strong camaraderie that drives every athlete to perform the best for their team. After their races, distance runners can be seen on “hurdle crew” setting up for their sprinter teammates. On the football field and in the stands, runners are braiding each other’s hair away from their faces, sharing tiger balm, and constantly building each other up. Cheer on Issaquah against Newport this Thursday, April 25!
