Eight Tigers bound for state: Several EHS track athletes get ready for state in Casper

A total of eight Encampment High School track stars will make their way to the state meet this weekend in Casper.

Waddie Love, Kyle Wessel, Lucas Jarrett, Mandy Harris, Alyssa Barkhurst, Cassidy Little, Gale Jackson, and KeeGan Johnson are the team’s athletes going on to compete against other top athletes from around the state in Casper May 16-18. Coach Kegan Willford stressed the importance of qualifying for state in the competitive world of high school track.

“Qualifying for the state track meet is always a great accomplishment for any athlete because not everyone qualifies,” he said. “I feel that many of the times, lengths, and heights our athletes have going into the state meet should be very competitive.”

Willford was also pleased with how his team members did at regionals last weekend in Lander. Alyssa Barkhurst scored two first-place victories, with the 100 meter dash and 200 meter dash, while Waddie Love scored first place in the shot put.

“Overall it was a very good weekend for Encampment Track,” Willford said. “We had eight out of our 11 athletes qualify for state, which is three more than last year. This is an exciting time of year, and our athletes are excited for the state track meet, as well as the coaches.”

With tough competition looming, Willford said the drive to place first was what kept his athletes going at regionals.

“I really enjoyed seeing the competitive attitude of several of our athletes during regionals,” he said. “There were some great competitions this past weekend and a lot of our athletes stepped up and really excelled when the pressure was on.”