Naselle track girls place fifth at state: Comet athletes earn nine medals
Published 4:02 pm Tuesday, June 3, 2025
YAKIMA — As June Miller blasted across the finish line in the 400 meters at the WIAA state championships, she raised her arms to the sky.
The Naselle freshman was 1B champion!
Onto the track rushed twin sister Halle, who enveloped her in a long close hug.
The reader board confirmed her time of 1:01.19.
“It was super windy,” June Miller said, reflecting on the close competition to earn her third of four medals. “They were really good athletes.”
Comet athletes persevered during three days of competition. Nine girls brought home nine medals, earning team points to place fifth; all three boys won hardware.
“It is a really good experience to have this bond with the team,” June Miller said, “and to win a state championship.”
Head Coach Scott Smith was jubilant. “June ran a perfect race,” he said. “She battled the head wind in the first stretch to pull ahead at the 200. And she finished strong.”
He was already looking ahead. “They are a good group to work with. I think they have a pretty good idea what it takes to get to the next level.”
June Miller was eying 2026, too.
She placed fourth in the 200m final, running 26.19. And she placed second in the high jump, defeated for the second year by Lily Starkel. Both cleared 5.2, but the Odessa athlete had fewer misses.
Noting Starkel will graduate this summer, Miller was optimistic. “Hopefully I can win the high jump next year!”
Medals won
Halle Miller ran good heats to qualify for the finals of both hurdles distances, placing sixth in both the 100m (16.94) and the 300m (52.93).
Sophomore Sophia Colombo advanced in only the 300m, running 55.43 for eighth.
She and freshman Karsen Green competed in pole vault, with Green earning the fourth-place medal, matching her personal record height of 8 feet and Colombo fifth, also clearing her 7.6 PR. The winner cleared 8.9.
Mylee Dunagan, who has a collection of medals from three appearances, was 10th in high jump, clearing 4.8. She competed in triple jump, leaping 31.8, for ninth in a contest that saw Kyra Brantner of Garfield Palouse set a 1B record with 36:2.75. Green leaped 30.10.
Team joy
The other girls’ medal was third place in the 4x100m relay. The Miller sisters, Colombo and Dunagan had a time of 52.50, a Naselle record. Colombo savored the success. “To get third place is pretty cool,” she smiled.
“Amazing” was their coach’s response, noting that they were beaten into third “by a hair.” While happy with all the squad, Smith savored June Miller’s finale. “Her anchor leg was a thing of beauty.”
Halle Miller, who ran the first leg, enjoyed that team element, also. “I am glad that we had a good connection and I was able to do this with all my friends,” she said. “And I am proud of June being the state champion. This has created lots of memories.”
Eighth-grader Kenzie Larson ran the 3200m, finishing down the field in 13:11.74. Repeat champion Ruby Henry of Pope John Paul II School, won in 11:31.20, finishing 29 seconds ahead of the second-place runner.
Halle Miller, Dunagan, Green and Larson also ran the 4x400m relay, but did not advance.
Smith had words of praise for all. “The twins, they are just outstanding to work with, very coachable. They are happy kids —and competitors!” he said.
He praised Dunagan’s role. “She loves to win and is starting to use her strength and speed as a javelin thrower. She is going to come back strong her senior year.
“Sophia is a talent, and she grew three inches, which helped her, and Karsen is very coachable, and a hard worker.”
Boys win three
Comet boys all had their turn on the podium. Gus Burkhalter was fifth in triple jump, leaping 39:8.25.
The coach noted Burkhalter’s improvement. “He is strong and he jumped really confidently this year,” Smith said.
The freshman expressed mixed feelings, having jumped beyond 40 feet during the season. “It was not a bad meet, but it wasn’t a PR jump — not where I was sitting on paper, but I was happy with it. I skipped up six places from last year, so next year maybe a win!”
Junior Jason Gardner was fifth in pole vault, with sophomore Bo Dunagan sixth. Both cleared 10 feet.
The pole vaulters pushing each other through the season. “They actually work really well together,” said their coach.
“It was really fun for my first year, I did better than I thought,” said Dunagan. “I started out the season jumping 7.6!”
Gardner was philosophical. “I am glad I made it, but I wish I could have gone further,” he said.
