Coahulla Creek going the distance

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, May 9, 2018

VARNELL — Coahulla Creek High School is taking its largest contingent ever to the Class 3A state track and field championships, starting Thursday in Albany.

It’s happened because of the Colts going the distance.

Of the seven Colts competing at state, five are in the two longest races. Rachel Ward is running in both the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs. She’ll run with teammates Ella Coley in the 1,600 and Lydia Jones in the 3,200.

For the boys, Coe Booker will race in the 1,600 and James Loi will race in the 3,200.

Josh Smith will compete in what is sometimes referred to as a “mid-distance” race, the 800. The only field athlete for Coahulla Creek is senior Rachel Walker in the high jump.

“I feel the distance people have a lot of drive,” Jones said. “Our coaches really push us to have that drive and motivate us to do the best we possibly can.”

The distance program thriving at Coahulla Creek isn’t a new phenomenon. The school has boasted some of the top cross country teams in the area in recent years. This past fall, the girls cross country team finished eighth at state for Class 3A, the boys 11th. Several athletes cross over as track distance runners.

“Since we all came here we have bonded like a family,” Ward said. “We go with each other in cross country and track and push each other and push off of each other. We stay together.”

According to Booker, having so many talented runners pushes everyone to bring their best effort every day, making each better.

“It helps having other people that are that competitive with each other,” Booker said. “If you were just out here doing workouts by yourself you wouldn’t be successful. You need people that are going to be there with you. If you have a bad day, someone’s going to beat you. You have to be on your A-game every day.”

The group dynamic has been especially beneficial for the younger members of the team. Booker, Loi, Smith and Ward are seniors. Jones is a sophomore making her first state track appearance and Coley is a freshman.

“It’s really good, everybody is really close,” Coley said. “We all push each other and cheer each other on. The older ones are really supportive and show the underclassmen around and help them do the best they can.”

“I definitely talk to Rachel (Ward) a lot about it,” Jones said. “We look at the heat sheet and look at the times and see where you’re seeded at and get a feel for it. We all kind of motivate each other. Support each other in practice and know we’ll all be there for each other.”

“I’ve learned a lot of new strategies and what to expect,” Coley added. “They’ve done this a lot so they already know a lot about what to expect.”

The state championships represent the culmination of the spring season.

“It’s what the entire goal is when you start, make it to the state meet,” Booker said. “We’ve all done that. Now it’s you put in the work you can, keep your legs fresh and get ready to race. It’s what you’re aiming for the entire season, make it to state and do well there. It doesn’t make or break your season, but it definitely helps your season out if you have a great race.”

The seniors go in with an added factor of knowing no matter how their races go, they will be the final races of their high school careers.

“It’s emotional because it’s my last high school race ever,” Ward said, “but I’m happy that my team is coming with me and running it with me.”

Each is going in with their own goals, some focused on setting personal best times, or, as in Booker’s case, to shave the few seconds off his best time that is needed to set a school record. One prize everyone is looking for? A top-eight finish that lands them on the podium.

“That has been my goal since my first meet my freshman year is to get on the podium,” Ward said. “I hope that it’ll work out this year.”

The boys’ 1,600 final is set for Thursday at 6:20 p.m. with the girls’ 3,200 following at 6:40. On Friday the events flip with the girls’ 1,600 running at 6:20 p.m. and the boys’ 3,200 at 6:40. Smith’s preliminary race in the 800 will be on Friday at 5:20 p.m.

Walker jumping at championship opportunity

Despite going to Albany as the one field athlete from the school, Walker still feels the team spirit.

“You really feel that whole team effect,” she said. “We never had a bunch going down, it’s more of a team thing now.”

Walker’s goals, much like her leaps, are high. She finished tied for fifth at state last year and is well positioned for a chance at a title.

She finished third at her sectional meet, clearing 5-foot-2, although no one cleared a greater height. She ended up third based on the number of jumps. In the state’s opposite sectional, only one athlete cleared a height higher than Walker.

“It is my last chance and I want to get a state championship, that would be cool,” she said. “I want to do the best I can, I want to try to get 5-4, 5-6 and hopefully win.”

Walker said she’s ready for her event, which will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m.

“It’s mostly excitement,” she said. “I finally made it again and want to go down there and do what I can do.”

It’s the close of an impressive senior year for Walker. In the fall she was a member of the school’s state-qualifying volleyball team. She followed that up by helping the girls basketball team make its first state appearance, finishing in the Sweet 16. Now, she’s made it three-for-three, qualifying once again for state track.

Walker and Loi, who also qualified for state in cross country and wrestling, are believed to be the first athletes in school history to qualify for state in three sports in one year.

“It’s a good way to finish it out,” Walker said. “All the sports have gone well. I never would’ve imagined doing this. Especially with basketball, since we never made it before. I never would’ve guessed I’d go to state in all three sports my senior year.”