Teegan Silva the chaser, became the chased, sets standards for Chelan High School program

CHELAN - Running and racing are two separate entities. While the second encompasses the first, a racer requires something particular: another racer. Inevitably, one racer will pace the others. That’s the tenacious tango of running: the chased and the chasers.

For three years, Teegan Silva acted the chaser. She always set her sights on the runners ahead of her. During her final track and field season, the senior star became the chased, setting the standards for a Chelan High School program with a longstanding pedigree. In her harrier swan song, Silva finished seventh in the 800 meter race at the 2022 Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 1B, 2B, 1A Track and Field Championship held May 27 at Eastern Washington University’s Roos Field in Cheney.

“Teegan’s an athlete who wants to race the best of the best to push herself,” Chelan head coach Christopher Alexander said. “That’s what was challenging to her this year, for her to be that person that everyone’s trying to get to. For the last three years, she’s always been that person who’s trying to get to the best, and follow the best, and be in the same distance as the best.”

Now, she’s the best.

After years of chasing, she became the leader, the runner everyone else wanted to beat. With no one to chase during most races, Silva saw her times began to dip. Her solution? She asked Alexander to let her race the boys in a few track meets. As a result, her times improved. Now, the curtain has recently closed on Silva’s Goat career in which she’s earned four varsity letters in both track and cross-county, 1st-Team All-Conference in the Caribou Trail League, and four State appearances. Her long career allowed her to mature into a new role on the team and a new mindset as a runner.

“For every athlete in distance running, they’re always chasing sophomore and junior year. And senior year it’s a whole different mindset and that’s where the growth mindset of good athletes comes in and they have to be able to switch that and train to be that leader now,” Alexander said. “And I think that she’s taken that on very well.”

Yet the desire for greatness has not led to runner’s pride. Alexander describes her as quiet but confident.

“At practice she’s always pushing herself and she’s pushing everybody that’s running with her because of leading by example,” Alexander said, touting Silva’s character and morals. “She’s always the person who’s in the lead. She’s not a real vocal leader. She leads by example.”

Megan Ellis is one of Chelan’s assistant coaches who, along with longtime CHS fixture Mark Anderson, worked with Silva during her four years with the Goats. Ellis described Silva as the consummate teammate who always sought to help others. Sometimes that came in the form of cheerleading. Ellis recalled a Chelan athlete who always performed a little better when Silva cheered for her.

Ellis also reiterated Alexander’s description of Silva as an exemplar. The senior never complained about a workout and went all-in during every practice. She also communicated the workout location to teammates who either were unaware or didn’t want to ask a coach. For teammates who did not have their own transportation, she would drive them to practice.

“Teegan is friendly, easy to get along with, hardworking, and respectful,” Ellis said. “She is always encouraging her teammates to do their best at every practice and meet and almost always has a smile on her face.”

The runner’s quiet leadership and dedication caused Alexander to name Silva a team captain before season without having a vote. Though his choice was somewhat unprecedented, Alexander knew the team would approve of his appointment. 

“Her teammates look to her for comfort. They just want to be around Teegan,” he said. “Just because she’s quiet, that doesn’t mean anything. It’s her energy, the respect she has around our community and the respect around our team. It was a no-brainer to have her as one of our captains right away.”

Though humble and hardworking, Silva remained fiercely competitive. In the hours before the race, she was quiet but relaxed, thoughtful yet determined. Alexander and Ellis describe her as coachable and someone who trusts the Goats’ program.

Silva’s running days will continue in the Last Frontier State. This coming fall she will run cross country for the University of Alaska Fairbanks on a partial athletic and academic scholarship. A 4.0 student, she will study geoscience at UAF which features a renowned outdoor laboratory. Wherever the track of life takes her, Silva’s kindness, humility and hunger will allow her to hit her stride.

“Even if Teegan was the fastest runner in the state she would not settle but would continue to push herself to run faster,” Ellis said. “She also is self-reflective on her performance and in tune with what she needs to do to improve.”