TRACK
Gulls make their mark in tough conference
By Gary Henley
Seaside Signal
They’ve got the depth,
the athletes and the talent to
compete.
Now it’s just time for the
Seaside track team to turn
it all loose on the Cowapa
League.
Head coach Jeff Kilday’s
team is loaded with athletes
and will be looking to im-
prove on their finish in last
year’s district meet — a tall
task in the Class 4A’s “Con-
ference of Champions.”
The Seaside boys are
coming off a 10th place fin-
ish in the 2017 state meet,
even after taking third in
their own league.
Meanwhile, the Lady
Gulls (and everybody else)
will be chasing the Astoria
girls’ track dynasty, as the
Fishermen look to win their
fourth straight state cham-
pionship.
The big point-scorer for
the Seaside girls — this
year and next — will be
junior thrower Gretchen
Hoekstre.
Hoekstre dominated the
shot put and discus events
in the Cowapa League,
winning both district titles
on her way to second- and
third place finishes, respec-
tively, in the same events
at the state meet as only a
sophomore.
Hoekstre is the top re-
turner, state-wide, in both
events.
Also on the girls’ side,
junior Katie Zagata is back
as one of the top distance
runners in the Cowapa.
The Seaside boys took
a big hit in the gradua-
tion department. Gone are
district champions Will
Garvin (300-meter hur-
dles), Jackson Januik (800
meters, two-time champi-
on) and Phoenix Johnson
(high jump and triple jump,
second in the long jump).
Talented distance runner
Bradley Rzewnicki also
graduated.
Seniors Colton Carter
(hurdles, jumps) and Rafi
Sibony (distance events)
are the returning mainstays,
while the Gulls will pin
their hopes on some young
talent.
Freshman Henry Garvin
and Dodger Holmstedt took
first and second, respective-
ly, in the 400 meters in Sea-
side’s first meet this season.
Sophomore
thrower
Derrick Bennett could be a
big point-scorer in the shot
put and discus.
Kilday is assisted by Jo
Ellingson, Jarom Bowles
and Margie Leary.
GARY HENLEY/FOR THE SEASIDE SIGNAL
GARY HENLEY/EO MEDIA GROUP
Rafi Siboney
Colton Carter is back for his senior year to compete in the jumps and hurdles for the Gulls.
Seaside Signal/Cannon Beach Gazette • 7