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