Naselle coach optimistic at track squad’s promise

Published 1:06 pm Sunday, March 8, 2026

By Patrick Webb/For the Observer

June Miller won the 400 meters final at the WIAA 1B state championships in Yakima last year. She and twin sister Halle are among student-athletes returning to compete for Naselle’s track team this season. (Patrick Webb)

Naselle track coach Scott Smith is excited.

“Had a good first practice!”

He noted that seniors Mylee Dunagan and Jason Gardner will anchor the team. “They are both having outstanding years in their other sports and I expect that to continue into track,” the coach said.

Dunagan is a three-sport athlete who started qualifying for WIAA state track meets as an eighth grader; one season she earned medals in high, long and triple jump. Gardner has been an enthusiastic Comet throughout high school, most recently a key leader in the wrestling program.

The Miller twins are back. June Miller was state champion in the 400 meters last year and has two second-place medals in the high jump; the Odessa girl who beat her twice graduated last year. Halle Miller also shone in her hurdling races and other events. “I expect them to have great seasons,” Smith said.

“Bo Dunagan, Caesar Garcia and Gus Burkhalter are a year older and a lot stronger. They will have great seasons.”

Smith is enthused about others showing promise. Many student-athletes enjoyed success during cross country in the fall.

“We have some promising young tracksters. Freshmen Kenzie Larsen and Romain Garcia are going to be very competitive in the distance races.”

Sophia Colombo, Shaylee Suomela and Karson Green are back, too, having excelled at pole vault and other events. “They will be vaulting higher this year,” the coach predicted.

Smith welcomes back assistant coach Jack Osadchey, who was a sports standout during his high school career at Steilacoom and has contributed greatly to building the Comet field event program.

“‘Coach O’ is back and he has a promising group of young throwers,” Smith noted. “Larry Malchow, Klara Davis and newcomer Alicia Knight and a trove of freshmen. They have a lot to learn and it will be fun to watch them improve.

“Mercy Schell showed a lot of potential in the javelin last year. I am expecting great things from her.”

Much of Naselle’s track competition will come from regional neighbors.

“Of course, there are many good athletes and track teams,” the coach said. “Cathlamet boys have a couple of good sprinters and a good young distance runner. Pe Ell has those good hurdlers and Taholah has outstanding javelin athletes. It’s going to be another exciting season.”

The Comet track program begins competition March 26 at North Beach. Home meets are scheduled April 2 and May 15. They will run at 2B Ilwaco on May 5. The WIAA 1B state championship meet is at Eisenhower High School in Yakima May 28 to May 30. NHS earned nine medals last year.