With the thrill of becoming league champions still fresh in the minds of the Washougal track and field athletes and coaches, the Panthers took center stage Friday by hosting the 2A sub-district meet.
“This was our most important meet so far,” said junior sprinter and jumper Kaitlyn Johnson. “I wanted the Panthers to come out and do well for the community, and to show everybody that Washougal is a track town.”
Fueled by the home-field advantage, Johnson set three new personal bests at the event. First, she won the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.67 seconds. Then Johnson and her sister Kari, Kelsey Lagerquist and Katie Wright took second in the 400 relay in 51.82 seconds. Johnson finished the day by leaping 33 feet, 7 inches to second place in the triple jump.
She dedicated her performance to seniors Katie Wright, Page Wade, Kayla Lockard and Sarah Brown for leading the girls to their fourth straight league title.
“We are carrying on a new tradition in Washougal, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it,” Johnson said. “It really shows what we can accomplish when we put our hearts and souls into it.”