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ILWACO — Naselle seniors Derek Suomela and Jacob Pakenen and eighth grader June Miller are reaching for the school track and field record books this spring.

The Comet trio continued their trek last week as four other schools featuring track and field athletes from across Pacific County converged at Peterson Field for the Pacific County Invitational last Thursday, including Ilwaco, Naselle, Raymond, South Bend and Willapa Valley.

Naselle swept first place in both the men’s and women’s division team scores by 30-point margins.

In 17 events, the Naselle men combined for 103 points, followed by Raymond (73), Ilwaco (62), South Bend (55) and Willapa Valley (34).

On the women’s side, among 19 events, the Naselle team ran away from the competition with total score of 146, followed by South Bend (115), Willapa Valley (58), Raymond (39) and Ilwaco (10).

Suomela, Pakenen and Miller

reach for new school records

Naselle senior Derek Suomela turned in one of the most impressive feats, including first-place finishes in four events, including the 400 meter (52.94), 800 meter (2:17.60) and long jump (19-1), while also tying for first place in the high jump (5-10), scoring a total of 31 points in the meet. Suomela currently owns the Naselle school record in the 400 (51.65), set last season, and the 800 (2:06.07), set earlier this season.

Naselle senior Jacob Pakenen finished first in the men’s pole vault (12-6), among the highest in school history. Pakenen can break the Naselle varsity record if he can top the 13′ 7.5″ foot mark, set by David Yana in 1970.

Pakenen and Suomela have both set school top-five records in the long jump this season, with Pakenen currently fourth (20-3.5) followed by Suomela (20-0.5”) in fifth.

South Bend senior Robby Stigall had a dominant day in the field, finishing first in the men’s javelin (127-11), first in the discus (153-10) and second in the shot put (42-11).

On the women’s side, Naselle eighth grader June Miller has had a busy spring resetting the Naselle school record books. While competing on the varsity stage, Miller has already recorded first-place school records in the high jump (5-2), second in the 100 meter (13.50), third in the 200 meter (28.46), third in the 400 meter (1:05.21) and second in the triple jump (32-4.5).

Naselle sophomore Mylee Dunagan set the new school record for the long jump (15-6.6) — a full foot further than the previous record. Dunagan also set the school record in the triple jump (33-0.25”).