Riverhawks Look to Compete in 5A Districts to Punch a Ticket to State

Riverhawks looking to send some to state.

By Xavier Orion Olaez

The Dalles High School’s track team will be attending districts this weekend. In past years the team would bring their varsity team to districts. Their varsity team is the top 3 athletes at each event and the rest is junior varsity. But with sports and the season being complicated because of COVID-19, they’re bringing the whole team. It’s more about giving the kids a good opportunity to get better and make some new PR’s.

I asked coach Garth Miller if he had anything to say about districts this year.

”We as a track coaching staff are looking forward to our athletes having a big track meet experience at the district meet,” he said. “The shortened season brought less meets and smaller meets this year.  Having a lot of good competition will give our athletes the opportunity to compete at a higher level and showcase their skills.”

With that being said, the Riverhawks have some top athletes on the team this year. Here’s a rundown on their progress. Click their names for more stats.

Junior Jaxon Pullen practicing his long jump.

Junior newcomer Jaxon Pullen has already made a big impact. Second in 5A for his 100 meter, and he is only .04 seconds away from being number 1. He also is 14th in the 200 meter. He attempted the long jump for the first time at the last track meet and is already 5th in 5A and 11th in all of Oregon.

Coach Steve Thompson commented that “In the 47 years that I have coached, Jaxon may be the best sprinter i’ve ever had.”

Sophomore Zoe Dunn has impressed many early in her high school career. She is 3rd in 5A for the long jump. She is also a top 100 meter runner on the Riverhawks.

Senior Emily Adams is 20th in the 100 meter for 5A, 21st in the 200 meter and 8th in the long jump.

Sophomore Juan Diego Contreras, who is a top cross country runner, is 4th in 5A for the 3,000 meter and 17th in the 800 meter. While his senior teammate Nick Caracciolo is 14th and freshman teammate Leo Lemann is 17th.

Senior Emily Johnson is 12th in 5A for the 3,000 and her senior teammate Hannah Ziegenhagen is 12th in the 800 meter.

Girls sprinters warming up at practice on Wednesday, May 12th. They’re preparing for the district meet on Saturday.

Junior Taylor Morehouse has done well at the pole vault being tied for 4th in 5A while his teammate Connor Blair is 22nd.

Newcomer senior Jesse Larson is 12th in the 400. 

Junior Jesus Arceo is 8th in the Intermountain Conference for discus and 11th in shot put for the conference. Junior teammate Jordyn Swyers is 15th in the conference for javelin.

The relay teams have also done quite well. The 4x400 girls team with Elena Cardosi, Emily Johnson, Caitlynne Wring, and Hannah Ziegenhagen are 20th in 5A. The girls 4x100 with Emily Adams, Elena Cardosi, Madeline Harrison, and Zoe Dunn are 5th in 5A.

The boys 4x100 team with Jaxon Pullen, Jesse Larson, Taylor Morehouse, and Jordan Swyers are 15th in 5A. The 4x400 team with Connor Blair, Juan Diego Contreras, Jesse Larson, and Spencer Coburn are 19th in 5A.

All in all, this year's track team has done quite well, and they are excited to do even better at districts this Saturday, May 15th, in Pendleton. Events start at 11 A.M.