Orcas Island track and field heads to state after record-breaking district meet

by Declan O’Malley

Sounder contributor

Orcas Island High School’s track and field team is headed to the state championship in Yakima after a standout performance at the district meet in Coupeville on May 17.

Head coach Frank Rohm praised the team’s efforts, noting, “Eight school records were set while five boys and two girls qualified for the state championship in Yakima.”

On the boys’ side, Julez Mahone Arias won the 110-meter hurdles, setting a new school record with a time of 16.64 seconds. Forest Frausto finished second in the event, also earning a spot at state. Drew Nunez claimed victory in the 300-meter hurdles, while Frausto qualified in another event by setting a school record in the high jump with a mark of 5 feet, 10 inches.

Elijah Griffith broke the school record in the 800 meters, finishing in 2:07.34 to secure his place at state. Chase Connell added to the team’s success with victories in both the shot put and discus. The boys’ collective performances secured them a berth at the state meet.

For the girls’ team, Sofia Mahoney-Jauregui tied for first place in the javelin, and Margo Winter-Lamphere set school records in both the 100 meters (13.47) and 200 meters (27.15), qualifying in the 200. Both athletes will represent Orcas Island High at the state championships.

Additional school records were set by Joaquin Shanks-Morales in the 400 meters with a time of 55.24, and Robin Limbach in the 1600 meters with a time of 5:14.31. The 4×400-meter relay team — composed of Lauri Quintero-Carrion, Joaquin Shanks-Morales, Gab Chapman and Elijah Griffith — shattered the school record by over 11 seconds.

The WIAA 1B State Track and Field Championships will take place at Eisenhower High School in Yakima from May 29-31, and Orcas Island High School will compete in the following events.

Boys events

110-meter hurdles – Julez Mahone Arias and Forest Frausto.

300-meter hurdles – Drew Nunez.

High jump – Forest Frausto.

800 meters – Elijah Griffith.

Shot put – Chase Connell.

Discus – Chase Connell.

Girls events

Javelin – Sofia Mahoney-Jauregui.

200 meters – Margo Winter-Lamphere.