Chelan track and field and its strong competitors

CHELAN – Ken Barnes didn’t hesitate as the position for Chelan High School track and field team head coach opened up after previous coach Erik Romero took a job with the Pateros School District.

Barnes, who previously was an assistant coach wanted to make sure the program kept on heading on the right direction. However, this year the team has had a rough start. The 58 student athletes have been facing the late winter conditions and for the most part they have been training indoors.
Coach mentioned that the team has a lot of new faces and they are being guided by the 16 seniors.

The Goats are fully loaded with sport event athletes, senior long distance jumpers Bert Mendevil and Lucy Bordner are two students with the possibilities of making it to the State competition. Kevin Cazares and Alex Neri, both discus throwers are also likely to make it far this season.

“Based on last year, they were close so we are hoping we can get them to State this year,” said coach Barnes. Long distance runner, Chris Knight and the long distance girl runners, are also looking as strong contenders.

In track you can compete against yourself and that’s what Barnes likes about the sport. “As long as you’re improving and making personal records all year long when get to the end you get a shot to compete in State,” he said.

For the first time in a long time, the Goats won’t be hosting a track meet at home. Instead to recognize the seniors, Barnes explained the team will be having a parent-senior barbeque. At the moment, the first track meet has been cancelled due to the weather. On March 23, the Goats will get a chance to compete as they visit Ephrata and Manson.