CRESWELL – With a few returnees – including a state champion – and a talented transfer, Creswell will take a shot at defending its Class 3A girls track and field championship.
The Bulldogs bring back three scorers from last year’s group that totaled 56 points to edge runner-up Banks by one to claim the first girls team title in school history.
“We have about 16 girls on the team, which is about what we had last year, so to win state was amazing,” third-year coach Rachael Bailey said. “We had enough girls who are dedicated and serious enough to make history at our school last year. To be able to do that back-to-back would be very cool.”
The Bulldogs are led by senior Kylie Leonard, who won the 300 hurdles and placed fourth in the 400. She won the hurdles in 45.67 seconds and finished the 400 in 49.05.
“Kylie is always focused and knows what to do and how to do it, she puts her blinders on and puts distractions to the side,” Bailey said. “She sets her mind to a goal and where there is a will, there’s a way and she finds a way to get it accomplished. She will make it happen to hit her goals and that is amazing to watch.”
Leonard finished third at state in the 300 hurdles as a freshman and second as a sophomore. Last year, she edged Malia Stewart of Banks, who finished in 45.73, in a duel that determined the team title.
“Kylie dug down deep and that was so impressive to watch,” Bailey said. “You don’t see that caliber of athlete too often so it will be sad when she’s gone, but it has been fun to watch her grow and chase her dreams.”
Junior Jordan Lee finished fifth in the 400 last year and helped the Bulldogs win the 4×400 relay in 3:57.31, more than five seconds ahead of runner-up Sisters.
“She is another amazing athlete and track is her love,” Bailey said.
Junior Mila Nguyen scored an important point in the 100 hurdles last year by placing eighth. She is a three-sport athlete who teams up with Lee and Leonard in soccer and basketball as well as track.
“It is amazing to have so many talented athletes that do so well together, it is fun to watch them,” Bailey said. “Their cohesiveness together is incredible.”
Junior Kiannah Bailey, the coach’s daughter, competes in sprints and jumps while junior Keeley Goddard is a contender to reach state in the high jump. Harper Artz, a junior transfer whose family just moved from Minnesota, will run the 200 and 400 and relays.
“Our girls team is small but mighty,” Rachael Bailey said. “We went to the Willamette High opening meet against a lot of big Eugene schools and our girls came away with fourth place so that was impressive.”
Creswell’s boys are led by Mason Schartz, who placed sixth last year at state in the high jump. He will also compete in the long jump.
Senior Connor Nguyen, who is Mila’s cousin, is a contender at districts in the 100 and 200. Senior Lance Risdal is a top javelin competitor.
“We have about three dozen boys so it is great to have those numbers,” Bailey said. “We have a lot of younger boys in the throws who are working hard, so hopefully they can pull off some surprises.”
