Track and Field 2026 Season Outlook

The Pullman Greyhounds’ Track and Field team is ready to run again this year during
the 2026 Spring season. Last year, they won their District Championship and had many athletes
qualify for the 2A State Championship. This year, many of the same coaches and athletes are
returning for another great season.
Despite the graduation of Amelia Cobos ‘25, Chris Druffel ‘25, and Seth Hathaway
‘25, the team expects the return of districts’ champion distance runner Cade Udy ‘27, pole
vaulter Maile Sandberg ‘26, and sprinter Silas Wheatley ‘26. Also returning is Ada Harris ‘26,
the team’s top girls’ mid-distance runner, hoping to break the school record in the 800m. The
team will also see the return of last year’s district’s second place pole vault finisher Luke Genz
‘27 and second place 800m finisher Judah Fitzgerald ‘26. Many of these returning athletes will
be expected to continue to place at league, district, and state level meets; the team will look to
them to continue scoring critical points at these meets, contributing to overall team success in
league, district, and state.
To round out the team, the arrival of many promising freshmen is also expected. On the
girls’ side, distance runner Aubrey Lightfoot ‘29 and sprinter Randi Mattix ‘29 have
demonstrated talented performances during this year’s 2025-2026 fall cross country
season–the latter setting new Lincoln Middle School records in the 400m and 800m during her
middle school career. Meanwhile, on the boys’ side, the team expects distance runner Jack
Armstrong ‘29 and sprinter Simon Rusca ‘29, both also demonstrating standout performances
during the past cross country season. These athletes will be key this season to scoring points in
their respective events, paving the way for a strong team performance this year.
In past years, the team has led the way with exceptional performances across
disciplines. This year, track and field athletes look to dominate in distance and pole vaulting
events. Paired with strong team leadership demonstrated by this year’s captains–Judah
Fitzgerald ‘26, Maile Sandberg ‘26, Ada Harris ‘26, Theo Engle ‘26, and Silas Wheatley
‘26–they look to secure another team win at the district championship this year.
Despite these factors, the numerous losses of senior athletes last year–especially in
throwing disciplines–may seek to disadvantage the group in team competitions and meets this
year. In order to overcome these misfalls, each individual athlete must look to perform at the top
of their game to ensure strong overall team performances.
Key meets this season include the Lauren McCluskey Twilight duel meet (v. Moscow),
District Championship, and State Championship. Adjacent to that, the team also hopes to
secure enough meet wins to finish their season at the top of their league (Greater Spokane
League). Critical opponents include West Valley, Clarkston, and Deer Park.
“This season is highly anticipated and I’m looking forward to see how the team
performs,” explains Cade Udy ‘27. “My experience this year has been fun and I enjoy every
minute of practice and competition with my friends.”
Overall, Pullman’s Track and Field team is excited and looking forward to this season.
With many key athletes returning, along with a slew of promising upcoming freshmen, the
Greyhounds are hoping to perform well in many critical meets.