FIELD NOTES: OHS Track & Field Intrasquad
Building camaraderie through shared goals: Quenton Lanese (L) and Caden Durocher (R) chat during a warm up down on the field.
As I rolled my Pelican case into Ingersoll Stadium late Friday afternoon, you could immediately feel the energy of a new season. The skies were slate gray and the air had that familiar PNW bite, but a light drizzle wasn't going to put a damper on opening day. The Olympia High School Bears Track & Field team was ready, hosting their annual intrasquad meet as an early-season rust buster.
Scanning the infield, I spotted Quenton Lanese and Caden Durocher warming up. The connection these two built over the cross-country season has seamlessly transferred to the track. Watching them interact with mutual respect and undeniable comradery, it’s clear they are going to be a two-headed monster this spring.
Durocher enters the season as the #3 800m returner in 4A, with less than a second separating the top three. Having watched him at practice earlier in the week, it really struck me how smoothly he moves around the track. During the intrasquad 300m, he made a definitive statement: he is much more than just a distance runner and has serious speed over short distances, too.
Olympia High school track athletes compete in a thrilling sprint finish at a local outdoor track and field meet. Finishing in first place was senior Caden Durocher.
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The momentum didn't stop there. Sophomore sprinter Anneliese Jones ran a massive 300m, leaving zero doubt that she is ready to compete. The Bears have a strong roster of young talent returning and joining the team this season, and the grit is already showing.
Anneliese Jones powers through the finish of her 300m heat - leaving no room for error.
Honestly, while I was stoked to be down on the field snapping shots, a long week and the cold weather were starting to catch up with me. But as I stood around between races, a young athlete noticed my dual-camera rig. I asked if he had a camera.
"No," he said, "but I need some"—indicating he understood exactly why I was running two bodies. That was refreshing. Most people ask me why in the world I carry two cameras. Finally, someone gets it.
I handed over one of my setups, gave him a quick rundown on how to use it, coached him on framing a shot, and let him loose. Within seconds, he had the shutter pinned, firing so relentlessly that the memory card had to fight to keep up. It was brilliant. Photography is a privilege, and owning this kind of gear isn't a reality for everyone. Being able to hand over a camera and provide that access during a lighthearted event was exactly the boost I needed. Representation is a right, and access is not optional.
Next week, the real test begins. The Bears host Yelm and Capital High School at Ingersoll Stadium for the Olympia Jamboree. It’s a small, three-school meet, but the track will be loaded with top-tier talent. This will give me a chance to really see how the rest of the season is going to play out.
James Levitt (fr) competes at the Olympia Intrasquad Meet
I will be keeping a close eye on the distance races. The Bears are fielding a heavy-hitting lineup, and Coach McIntire is bringing a formidable Yelm squad fresh off a phenomenal cross-country season.
See you on the track.
