SEATTLE-O'Dea track and field is ready to begin their 2025 campaign after losing key players while gaining great talent in the process. The team is in high spirits after most of the team is made up from the success of multiple fall sports. Cross country made it to state as a team for the first time in 20 years and football won their first state championship since 2017.
Looking Back
Last season for the Irish was a huge success as they would claim the Metro League title and send many runners to the state race. Ever since this impressive run they have looked to stay in shape. “Winter training, 2-3 days a week, running through the park…we got better, faster, stronger, only up from there," said senior Derrek Wojcik.
Sprinters
There are a lot of names to look out for this category but a few of them include senior Sage Salopek (10.71 100M), senior Ollie Richard (56.46 400M), senior Michael de Jesus (11.64 100M). Overall, there is a strong outlook for this group of guys, they are all returning after incredible junior seasons last year. Expecting great things out of all these guys this year.
Distance
Some names that will be making the headlines for the distance runners will be senior Isaac Lewis (2:08.18 800M), junior Maddox Fox (2:11.35 800M), sophomore Paulos Yohannes (2:17.70 800M), and senior Will Martin (2:11.68 800M). This room has the potential for growth over the next few years and will be a bright spot for the Irish this season. Expect to see each of them set PRs this season for their individual races.
Throwers
Maybe a group that isn’t talked about that often but deserves recognition for the experience they bring are the throwers. Senior Alexander Bannerman will be someone to look for with a PR of 124” 11’ hit last season with 1.6kg. Someone else you can expect to make big strides this season is senior King Allah who set a PR in the shot put (12lb) to help the Irish secure the Metro League title with 43’ 11.75”. This group has grown a lot in recent years and their hard work will show this season.
Jumpers/Hurdlers
The hurdlers are led by senior Justin Le who put up an 11.71 in the 110M 39” hurdles to put his mark on securing another Metro League title last season for the Irish. For the jumpers, they will be led by junior Andre Franklin who set a PR of 17’ 7” last season for the long jump. This group is extremely young and hungry for more action. Along with this group being young, expect a slow start for the first few competitions but then slowly get into their rhythm as the season progresses.
Closing Notes
The expectation for this team will be to repeat as Metro League champions. They also have another personal goal of replicating the success of the fall sports teams. The seniors want to go out feeling they have left the team in good hands.
“As a senior I want to send a good example for the young guys and leave with a positive experience," said senior Isaac Lewis.
Expect to see the youth of this team develop as the season gets going and some of them take leadership roles.
Track and field will have their first meet on March 27th at the Northwest Athletic Complex (NWAC) where they will race against schools like Ingraham, Bishop Blanchet, Clevland, and Franklin High Schools.
Make sure to mark your calendars, and roll Irish!
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