Before the start of the track season, two new coaches were appointed to the womens and mens track teams. Dan Wright, science teacher at Rosemont Ridge Middle School, was chosen as the new mens track coach. Emma McCurry, science teacher at West Linn, was appointed as the womens track coach. 

“Coach Emma and I are really big on culture, and we want everyone who comes out from track and field to feel like they’re a valued member of this team,” Wright said. “Something that is really big to us is that we’re out here supporting one another and bringing positive attitudes every single day and focusing on growth. We’re all working hard, and so as long as we’re all doing that, we’re gonna have a great time supporting each other along the way.”

Alongside her new position, McCurry is also the womens cross country coach.

“It’s really important to me that everybody feels like they can be included in the athletic space or the cross country and track and field team if they’re willing to come out and put in the work. So even athletes that have never done track and field in their life, maybe have never had the opportunity to be involved in athletics, I want them to feel like they can come out and push themselves,” McCurry said. “Also, [with] Coach Dan [and] the boys coaches, we’ve been hiring our staff. We’re looking for people who are also supportive of that, basically helping every athlete be the best athlete they can be, regardless of where they started.”

Last season, West Linn competed at state from May 16-18 at Hayward Field in Eugene Ore., where now senior Hayden Williams-Downing won the 6A javelin state title. McCurry is looking to get students engaged and expand the team.

“Our girls team has been extra small. Distance running is an interesting sport, and with a lot of sports you really have to practice. And so the distance crew, or the cross country kids, typically also compete during the track season,” McCurry said. “We’ve been doing winter training for years, and so I’ve been helping out Coach Dan a little bit with the sprints, but that’s mostly been his thing, and I’m here for distance along with the boys head cross country coach who will also be coaching with us.”

Both Wright and McCurry are hoping to instill their values and culture onto the team ahead of the season, where they held winter practices with current and future members of the team.

“I’m trying to get these sprinters a chance to get a leg up on some of the competition, so build some of that early season strength and start working on mechanics so that when the season actually starts, they’re ready to go and to reduce injuries,” Wright said. “But it’s also just a chance to get to know some of these guys and gals sooner. So it’s just seeing who wants to come out, and it’s been a good time so far.”

Track and field officially starts on March 18, with an icebreaker invitational at West Linn High School. For more information about track and field, check out their Instagram (@westlinntrack) or contact Wright (wrightd@wlwv.k12.or.us) or McCurry (mccurrye@wlwv.k12.or.us). There will also be a parent night scheduled for March 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the new commons.

See the lastest video on track posted to the wlhsNOW Youtube channel below.