Coach Wasson shares State C Track experience

Just when you thought track season was over...

Last week, the Phillips County News contacted Whitewater Penguin Track and Field Head Coach Charlene Wasson with a few questions pertaining to the 2021 State C Track Meet held in Missoula on Friday, May 28, through Saturday, May 29. Coach Wasson’s response was heart-felt and the publisher felt that this response warranted a few more columns, so that Coach Wasson’s experience could be shared.

Coach Wasson said that the 2021 State Track Meet was full of excitement because of the cancellation of the 2020 season and postseason of track.

“We had to remember how to get back on the bicycle and pedal,” Coach Wasson said. “It didn't take us long to get back into our groove. I would say there was a lot of intense atmosphere in the air during both days.”

The Penguins, who went to the meet with eight athletes, went through a roller coaster of emotions during the meet.

“I believe track builds your internal competitive nature,” Coach Wasson said. “It tests you mentally and physically in everything you do. Nothing really prepares you for the State Meet except experience and we didn't have a lot of that.”

Seniors Kia Wasson and Kelsee Cummings had the most experience at state, having participated in the 2018 and 2019 State C meets, while senior Beau Simonson and junior Hannah Hanley had been to the 2019 meet. New to the state atmosphere were Kora LaBrie, Kendra Cummings, Paige Wasson, Kendall Scheffelmear, and Ava Hanley.

Coach Wasson felt that overall, the team competed well, putting their best effort out on the track or field in every event they competed in.

She felt that Cummings and K. Wasson ended their track careers on a good note, both being able to reach the podium. Cummings who took third place in shot put with a throw of 36-05.25 and K. Wasson set a personal best, and school record, in the last 3200 of her high school track career, taking fourth in the race with a time of 12:19.99.

Coach Wasson commended Cummings for working hard during the off-season, and the 2020 season and staying in shape. According to Coach Wasson, Cummings started her high school career with a throw of 29-9.75 and ended with a throw of 36-05.25.

“Throwing is a very stressful intense event at state because there is a large crowd watching your every move and you only get three times to get it right,” Coach Wasson said. “She started the event a little nervous, but then settled in and just competed.”

Coach Wasson then shared details of K. Wasson’s 1600, which she finished ninth with a time of 5:45.03, the second-fastest mile of her career. She said that the race started extremely fast for Kia because everyone sprinted. Her first lap was a time of 1:13.

Coach Wasson said that the relay teams that they faced had plenty of experience, while the Penguins were new to the event in comparison.

“We don't always have a lot of teams in the relay during the year at meets so it was different being in a heat of 10,” Coach Wasson said. “Some of the handoffs become a bit more congested and hard but they did a great job. 4:28.98 was a PR for the relay team and the new school record at Whitewater. Kora and Kendall had their fastest splits of the season. I look for us to continue to grow and get stronger in this race next season.”

Coach Wasson said the Beau Simonson competed with unwavering grit and determination, despite things not going his way.

Simonson had missed track his freshman season due to a torn ACL. He was able to compete and make the state meet in 2019 but missed the 2020 season due to the cancellation.

“His first official high school meet as a sophomore had him throwing the shot put 36-9.5 and discus 88-7,” Coach Wasson said. “He ended his high school career throwing the shot put - 40-1.5 and discus 130-2. That is a whole lot of improvement in just 2 seasons.”

Paige Wasson set a new personal best of 1:06.36 in the 400, earning a nineteenth-place finish. Hannah Hanley was twenty-second in the 200, with a time of 29.58.

Coach Wasson said that P. Wasson had gained valuable experience at the meet and that H. Hanley will be hungry and determined to get back to state and compete hard.

The team experienced a moment of heartbreak during the 300 hurdles as Ava Hanley was caught in a false start in her only event.

“When it happened, I buried my head in my hat and started crying,” Coach Wasson said. “My mom was sitting next to me and my Dad behind me and they too both started crying, then I said I need to go talk to her so I ran out of the stands and down to where she would come off the track.”

Coach Wasson went down and wrapped her arms around the younger Hanley sister, explaining to her that she had experienced the exact same thing during her high school track career in the same event.

“We embraced in a hug and shed a few tears, but I told her you will gain a lot from this experience and it is ok, it will not define you, it only makes you tougher,” Coach Wasson said.

The team will return a lot of talent next season, but lose seniors Cummings, Simonson, and K. Wasson.

Coach Wasson wished to give her assistant coaches their due respect for a good season of track, stating that Heather Simonson, Heidi Cummings, and Carly Hammond make the track team, what it is.

“They go out of their way to provide each kid with individual attention and skills, and also help me out immensely with all the little jobs that need to be done behind the scenes,” Coach Wasson said. “Heather is hanging up her coaching shoes this season and going to just watch from the stands. We will miss her greatly, but who knows, maybe we can talk her into it next season and stay until her niece and nephew get through high school.”

She also said that she appreciated those Penguin supporters who made the trip to Missoula to cheer on the team.