Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2016)
TRACK VAULTS INTO SEASON BY TR A V IS DAVID V W H IT TA K E R After a rainy winter, the sun came out in Oregon and the m en’s and momen’s Track and Field teams started to bloom. Clackamas Community College runners and throw ers team have a lot to look forw ard to th is season. W ith on ly a handful of events, the bulk of the season is still to come as they move further into the season. With 20 athletes on both the teams this season, head track coach Keoni McHone likes the w ay that the team has come along. “ The team got off to a slow start, but we are definitely getting into the swing of things,” McHone said. “We gave the athletes a few days of practice, but also a much needed rest period during spring break. The grind of winter term and finals can take a lot out of our athletes, so they definitely enjoyed the rest period.” McHone also said that he was really excited to see some of the athletes who haven’t been com peting in uniform or been banged up w ith injuries able to compete at Western Oregon University last Friday. The preparation that the team has had so far this season is key to improvement as the season progresses. Sophomore captain McKenna Gilstrap runs in the 200 meter, 4x100 relay, 100 m eter, and throw s ham m er here at Clackamas. Most athletes normally have a pre-m eal and a routine that they all like, how ever Gilstrap sticks w ith her own routine. "I like to eat after I compete as I don’t feel that great when walking out to the blocks with food in my system,” Gilstrap said. “With only a few minutes between each heat, you m ostly spend your time recovering.” C la c k a m a s so p h o m o re c a p ta in , McKenzie Hidalgo, who throws hammer, javelin, discus, shot-put and weight throw really likes how her season has gone so far. Hidalgo mentioned, “ At the end of last season I felt like I peaked and w ant to continue from where I left off.” She recently set a personal record in the ham m er o f 127 feet. Last season Hidalgo earned a silver m edal at the NWAC Cham pionships in javelin, got fourth place in the ham m er throw and sixth place in the discus event. “ Overall, w e a re lik e a fa m ily ” - McKenzie Hidalgo Athletes this season have talked about how the team has bonded much better this season than last. “ Overall, we are like a fam ily.” Hidalgo mentioned, “ We are all spending more time together. Whether it’s traveling or hanging out. Everyone likes being around each other.” The team looks to continue bonding and improving from where they left off on their last event each and every time they go to compete. “ I’m looking forward to seeing those athletes being able to compete” , McHone said, “ and see how far they can push them selves.” Last week at the John Knight Twilight at Western Oregon University, the Men’s track and field team took third place in the team standings out of 16 schools. 6.5 points out of second place Portland State University. The Women’s team took fifth place out of 11 schools finishing only four points back of Willamette University for fourth place overall in the women’s team scores. The next m eet is scheduled to be at Pioneer Stadium here in Oregon City on Saturday, April 16. Top right: Griffin Johnson prepares for pole vault during a meet at Western Oregon University. Bottom right: Clackamas runners (left) Brittney Coleman and (right) Karis Coleman pass the batton in the 4x100 relay. € Clackamas Print APRIL B, 2016 thedadamasprinLcom
