State track: Naselle earns more medals

Published 5:38 am Saturday, May 27, 2023

Zenaida and Poul Toftemark attended the state track meet to cheer on the Naselle students including their multi-talented son, Elmer, who placed fifth in the discus and ran in a relay.

YAKIMA — Naselle track athletes don’t need a compass.

They know exactly where the podium is.

After Mylee Dunagan’s sixth-place success in the long jump when the WIAA 1B State Track meet began Thursday, teammates followed her Friday climbing up to receive the silverware.

But first, she showed them the way again, placing fourth in the high jump with a leap of 4.10. The first-place athlete jumped 5.2. Sister Bella Dunagan was ninth, one step off the podium, with 4.8.

Mylee competes in the triple jump Saturday.

But Bella Dunagan had another chance in the pole vault. She was one of two Naselle seniors who earned medals. Bella Colombo placed third, clearing 8.9. And Bella Dunagan placed sixth clearing 7.6. The winner set a 1B meet record, clearing 12.3.

Naselle boys’ throwing squad enjoyed success all year with three seniors qualifying for state in the discus. Tyler Kirkman placed second with a throw of 129.4. The winner threw 135.3. Elmer Toftemark placed fifth with 113.4. Classmate Brayden Colombo also competed in the first round. His best throw was 102.4, placing him 11th.

Kirkman competes in the shot put Saturday.

Derek Suomela won his heat in the 400 meters with a time of 52.86. The winner of the other heat finished in 52.21. They go head to head in the finals Saturday.

His 800m heat was run just one hour later. He ran 2.09.45 for ninth, just missing the chance to advance.

Two Naselle relay teams enjoyed a taste of state action, but did not advance to the finals.

Jacob Pakenen, Toftemark, Brayden Colombo and Kirkman ran the 4x100m. Their time was 49.35.

The team of Bella Colombo, Sophia Colombo, Paige Haataja and Desirae Gifford ran the 4x200m. Their time was 2.11.64.

Eighth-grader Andy Rosas qualified for state in the triple jump. He leaped 35.5.75, but did not make the final cut. The winner jumped 44.9.5.

IHS competes

Ilwaco runners competed in the 800m heats at Yakima Friday. Both improved on their personal best times in that distance, but they did not advance.

Sophomore Mya Cunningham ran 2.38.16, the 10th fastest time.

Junior Jacob Mathison’s time was 2.06.40, the 11th fastest time.

The meet concludes Saturday with Ilwaco freshman Nora Soule running the 3200m. She placed 10th in the 1600m on the opening day.

• Look for full coverage in Wednesday’s edition of the Chinook Observer

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