VANCOUVER, Wash. - Of all of the destruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, spring sports were hurt the most. For Clark College, this will be their first full track season since all the way back in 2019.  Due to that three year absence, a lot has changed. The Penguins now have an entirely new coaching staff and a roster that includes zero athletes with any collegiate track experience. On top of that, the decision was made for the track program to recruite in only running events, so the team will have a different feel than years past.  In spite of the challenges, new head coach Owen Frasier sees a lot of positives in the current situation. "We're coming into this spring with no expectations whatsoever put on anyone.  It's honestly really freeing in a way.  Our program is built on focusing on process goals more than results, so having a new roster, no field events, and a new coaching staff allows for everyone to just focus on committing to the processes and thinking about long term development. We really believe there are a lot of really talented athletes in our program right now.  We are excited to see how they improve this spring."
 
Clark College has a strong track tradition. Both the men and women have won the NWAC Championship and boast several individual champions, All-Americans, and record holders. On top of that, many of the track athletes participated in cross country, volleyball, and soccer for the Penguins this fall and had huge individual and team success. There are so many new team members to learn about. Let's meet the teams; starting with the women. 
 
Many of the distance runners are not new faces, having participated in cross country this fall. The group of runners looking to be a force in the 10,000 and/or 5,000 meters will be led by freshman Emily Thompson (Union HS/Camas, WA).  Thompson was a 2nd team All-Region selection this fall for cross country and has really upped her training this winter in preparation for track. Raleena Maxson (Reynolds HS/Troutdale, OR) and Chloe Crawford (Rainier HS/Rainier, OR) are also coming off strong cross country seasons where they were scoring runners for the entire season and helped lead the Penguins to a second place finish overall at the conference championships. Mara Schwenneker (Ridgefield, HS/Ridgefield, WA) showed huge improvement this cross country season as she made her way into the top seven by season's end and could factor into the mix as well. Distance coach Kailey Sears loves what she's seen from the distance group so far. "This is a confident group- and rightfully so- after what they all accomplished this fall as a team and individually in the cross country season. It should definitely carry over to the track." 
 
The middle distance group is packed with talent and where cross country standout Jane Kuebrich (Ridgefield, HS/Ridgefield, WA) will look to make her mark in the 800 and 1500 meters. Kuebrich was First Team All-Region and has signed to run for Oregon Institute of Technology next year.  Peyton Kneeland (Rainier HS/Rainier, OR) was a State qualifier in the 800 in high school and will be strong in the 1500 as well. Natalie Pugh (Skyview HS/Vancouver, WA) and Maddy Palek (Camas HS/Camas, WA) are coming off strong cross country seasons and both have had success in the middle distances in their high school careers. Watch out for Jasmine Bates (Mountain View HS/Vancouver, WA) this spring! Bates played soccer this fall for the Penguins but was a 800 and 1600 meter District Champion in high school and will be one of the top runners in the conference in several events. Coach Frasier really likes what he has seen from this group. "Jane and Jasmine are as good of a duo as any in the conference.  We expect them to have big springs and potentially add depth to the 4X400 relay teams as well. As for Natalie, Maddy, and Peyton, they will all be good in the middle distances but also have the strength to be a factor in the long distance events as well if we need them."  
 
The short sprints group is super deep and full of talented athletes.  The most accomplished high school runner of the list is Daya Starr (WF West HS/Chehalis, WA), who ran 13.0 in the 100 meters on her way to finishing eleventh at the State Championships. She just missed running under 28 in the 200 as well, so she'll help the team in multiple events.  Speaking of accomplished high school runners, Brianna Morrell (Prairie HS/Brush Prairie, WA) was one of the top 100/200 meter runners in Southwest Washington last season after winning the 3A District Championship in both events.  Expect to see Nora Roscoe (Hockinson HS/Hockinson, WA) excel as well this spring.  Roscoe was strong in both events as a senior and qualified for State as part of Hockinson's 4X200 meter team.  Sprints coach Matt Scholer feels like the Penguins boast at least seven girls fast enough to earn a spot on the 4X100 team.  "This group has worked incredibly hard and has improved a lot already this winter.  They're pushing each other and they all are competing to prove themselves. It has been very fun."
 
The long sprint group is very versatile and includes athletes capable of running events ranging from the 100 all the way up to the 800 meters. Gracie Birkinbine (Hockinson HS/Hockinson, WA) has the most experience in the 400 meters and was also a part of the State qualification with Roscoe on Hockinson's 4X200 meter relay team.  Peyton DeSantis (Mountain View HS/Vancouver, WA) excelled in the jumps in high school but is capable of putting up fast times in the short sprints and has a background in soccer that may help her in the longer sprints as well. Rounding out the group is Bryana Barry (East Valley HS/Yakima, WA) who was a big part of the Penguin volleyball team this fall, but is now getting back to being comfortable on the track. Barry put up solid times in several different events in high school and can contribute the same way for the Penguins this season.  "I am still not sure exactly what events Gracie, Bryana and Peyton will run for us this spring," said Coach Matt Scholer. "They have the ability to succeed in several different distances, as well as both relays.  We're just going to keep developing them and see what happens. I wouldn't be surprised to see them help this team in many ways."
 
Rounding out the roster is the hurdles group, which is led by coach Christian Igielinski.  A hurdling specialist, Igielinski has been most impressed so far by Ada Owens (Hudson's Bay HS/Vancouver, WA). Owens was the District Champion in the 300m hurdles in high school and should have no problem with the move to the 400m hurdles in college.  For the 100m hurdles, it has been Michaela Ephraim (Seton Catholic HS/Camas, WA) who has stood out.  Ephraim finished 5th at her District Championships as a junior before COVID-19 wiped out her senior season. Adding depth to the hurdle squad are Maddie Morgan (Columbia River HS, Vancouver, WA) and Daisy Arellano-Rangel (Skyview HS/Vancouver, WA).  Both have been working hard and improving this winter. "This has been a great group to work with," explained Igielinski. "Ada and Michaela are both very polished hurdlers, so we've just been working on refining their technique and getting them ready for the new distance. Daisy and Maddie have been able to see them work and lean on them for guidance too."  

On the men's side, the distance group is filled with runners coming off of impressive fall seasons in cross country.  None more than Gary Sherman (Aberdeen HS/Aberdeen, WA) who was named first team All-Region.  Evan Hebblethwaite (Skyview HS/Vancouver, WA) and Stanley Johnson (Kelso HS/Kelso, WA) are coming off second team All-Region performances this fall after making a great transition to the 8K distance at the college level.  Both may continue to thrive as the distances get longer this spring and the 10K becomes an option.  David Mirenta (Kelso HS/Kelso, WA) had a great cross country season as well as he made the Penguin top 8 and helped them to a 4th place finish at the NWAC Championships.  Adding depth to the group is Misha Morrell (Prairie HS/Brush Prairie, WA) who had an injury keep him out of the cross country season but is back healthy and ready to compete this spring.  "I really feel great about this group of distance guys," said Coach Kailey Sears. I think all of them gained a lot of confidence this cross country season and are ready to continue their ascend this spring. We've got several guys who can make the conference final in the 10K and 5K."
 
In the middle distances the Penguins feature a strong group that includes a couple semi-unknowns and a pair of veterans that should have success in the 800 meters. Newcomer Branden Chou (Mountain View HS/Vancouver, WA) was the District Champion in the 800 meters and qualified for the State Championships.  Spencer Holm (La Center HS/La Center, WA) was his league's champion in the 800 and the 1600 meters as well, where he also added the District Championship title. Dylan Ho (Prairie HS/Brush Prairie, WA) and Will Niskanen (Union HS/Camas, WA) were both scoring runners this cross country season but have the speed to excel in both the 800 and 1500 for Clark.  Tristen Yates (Parkrose HS/Gresham, OR) won the Tiger Invite at the 1500 meters last year and will be tough to beat at that distance.  Look for Norman Hartman (Kelso HS/Kelso, WA) and Evan Williams (Kelso HS/Kelso, WA) to be factors in events ranging from 800 up to the 5,000. "This is a really talented group of guys who had really accomplished high school careers. Our most athletic and most foot speed can be found here, claimed Frasier. "I think they've all got the ability to perform well in the steeplechase too if they choose to give the event a try."  
 
The short sprint group is small but mighty and led by Hudson Schneider (Camas HS/Camas, WA). Schneider was poised to win the 100 District Championship last spring before an injury just before the finish pushed him to 4th. He's got a great shot to make a loaded NWAC final.  Ethan Arnett (Columbia River HS/Vancouver, WA) finished 3rd at his League Championships in both the 100 and 200 meters and followed it up with a 3rd place finish at Districts in the 200 meters as well. Rounding out the group is JT Myles (Columbia River HS/Vancouver, WA). Myles was top seven in both the 100 and 200 at the GSHL League Championships last year and has been the team's hardest worker.  Coach Matt Scholer believes all his short sprinters are full of potential. "I think we've got three great sprinters. Their high school times are going to get blown away when they get on the track this spring.  This 4X100 team is going to be very good as well."
 
The long sprints have three guys who have potential but are all works in progress for the Penguins.  Marcus Martinez (Kelso HS/Kelso, WA) is one of the most talented Penguins and is still working to find the spark to help translate that talent into being a force in the 400 meters.  Gosha Morrell (Prairie HS/Brush Prairie, WA) has been working hard and will keep improving as the season continues.
 
In the hurdles, team leader J'Quan Collins (Fort Vancouver HS/Vancouver, WA) has emerged as a dangerous 110 meter hurdler.  He's strong, fast, and very explosive out of the blocks. He was third in the District Championships in high school.  Gavin Ensinger (Camas HS/Camas WA) was top seven in both distances for the Papermakes at the District Championships in high school and may find his way onto the 4X400 team as well. "I don't know if any group of athletes in our program will grow as much this season as this one," mentioned long sprints and hurdles coach Christian Igielinski. "Between the talent they all have, their work ethic, and their eagerness to learn, it's a recipe for lots of improvement."
 
The men and women open their seasons on Friday, March 3rd and 4th, at the Erick Anderson Memorial at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. The schedule includes a trip to the Oregon State High Performance Meet and is packed with local races. The team hopes to be at their best by the time championship season rolls around and they head to Coos Bay, OR for the Southern Region Championships and Mount Hood College for the NWAC Finals in May.



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