Cascade track and field squads building toward postseason success

Despite underwhelming records in the team standings, the Cascade track and field squads are positioned well for success in this month’s postseason meets, according to Bruins coach Eric Smith.

“We’re not worried about how many points we score in the dual meets,” Smith said. “We’re looking at how we can get the best marks and where the kids fit best in each of the events going into the district and league meets. I’m happy from that standpoint.”

Cascade is strongest on the girls side — Jessica Welch (javelin), Jayda Akanni (discus), Tyrza Lamma (pole vault, 300 hurdles) and Katie Nelson (high jump) have the ability to qualify for the Class 4A state meet, Smith said. Lamma, in particular, is poised for a breakthrough — the sophomore set the school record in the pole vault earlier last month with a mark of 10 feet, 7 inches, a figure that’s eighth-best in the state’s 4A ranks.

“She’s probably the hardest working athlete I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” Smith said. “The pole vault is her strength, but she’s a solid hurdler, and because of her cross-country (background), she’s good in the 1,500-meter run. She’s a decathlete, so she’s a strong all-around, and capable of scoring a lot of points.”