Bruin track and field builds depth before season

WHITE SALMON — The Columbia High School track and field team enters the 2026 season with a large roster, including a mix of experienced athletes and newcomers as the Bruins look to build momentum throughout the spring.

The Bruins, led by head Coach Jim Anderson, began practice on March 2 and have already seen strong participation.

“We have 60 kids out this year, which is a little bit higher than average,” said Anderson. “We have a solid base of returning track team members who know which events they run and what they can do. We also have a large number of kids who are out for the first time, so we’ve been working on trying to figure out their best events.”

Boys team

Several senior athletes are expected to play key roles on the boys side this season. Sprinter Graham Beck is among the athletes the coaching staff hopes will take a major step forward this spring. “I’m really looking for him to have kind of that breakout season,” said Anderson. “He’s looking really strong so far this year.”

Nathen Breedlove returns as a key contributor in the 400 meters, while the Bruins’ distance group features several runners coming off strong cross country seasons.

“Luther Thomas, Colby Clark and Jack Brooks have been working on their own all winter,” said Anderson. “They’re already ahead of where they were at the end of last season.”

Senior hurdler Aidan Hainline is another athlete to watch after placing third at district last year in the 110-meter hurdles.

In the field events, senior thrower Ezekiel Wilson-Ramirez is looking to take the next step after qualifying for district in previous two seasons. “I think this year he’s coming in with a lot of confidence,” said Anderson.

The Bruins’ throwing group is led by assistant coach Sebastian Barajas, who has emphasized fundamentals in training. “He has boiled our throwers down to the bare basics and is building them up,” said Anderson. “He’s doing a fabulous job getting our throwers ready for the season.”

In the jumping events, JJ Perez returns after qualifying for state as a freshman last season. Simon Caldwell is back in the high jump after reaching district last year, while Levi Connell could make an immediate impact in the long jump after missing last season with a shoulder injury.

Girls team

On the girls side, senior Sara Miller returns as one of the team’s top sprinters. Miller has qualified for state in each of her first three seasons in both individual and relay events.

“Her work ethic is phenomenal,” said Anderson. “Nothing is too hard for her.”

Senior Olivia Allen will lead the Bruins in the 800 meters, while distance runners Lilah Zimmerman and Maisy Kollman are expected to anchor the longer events. Zimmerman qualified for state in the 1600 meters last year as a sophomore. “She’s motivated to get back there this year,” said Anderson. “She’s a fierce competitor.”

Senior Hailey Tolbert also returns after qualifying for the state meet in two of her three seasons. In the hurdles, Mariela Casarez will compete in both the 100- and 300-meter hurdle races after entering the season ahead of where she was a year ago.

Field events will feature several returning contributors as well. Junior Samantha Evans returns after finishing second at the state meet last year in the high jump. Throwers Sophia Bucher and Amelia Jewell-Yarnell are expected to make strides in the shot put, while Frida Ramirez could emerge in the discus. The Bruins will also look for growth from younger athletes such as Maya Tama and Kathryn Turner in the long jump.

Leadership and team goals

With a large roster and athletes across every event group, the coaching staff said team leadership has stood out early in the season. “I’m really excited about the leadership our captains are showing,” said Anderson. “As a coach, you can motivate the kids, but nothing motivates them more than their peers encouraging them.”

One highlight on the team’s schedule will be the Howard Kreps Bruin Invite on April 10. The meet was renamed to honor longtime Columbia athletic director Howard Kreps, who spent more than 30 years with the program and now serves as an assistant track coach. “It’s a great way to honor his dedication to the program and to track and field at the district and state level,” said Anderson.

As the season unfolds, the program’s main focus remains on improvement from meet to meet. “A successful season for me is to see consistent personal gains by each athlete in each of their events,” said Anderson. “If that takes them to subdistricts, districts or state, that’s amazing. But the most important thing is that they continue to improve week by week.”

 •••

Our journalism needs your support. Visit columbiagorgenews.com to read more and subscribe.