All-Region girls track and field: Jai’lyn and Dai’lyn Merriweather

Jossilyn Blackman-, Sr., B. Ground

Nicole Corbett, Sr., Camas

Jordan Davis, Sr., Camas

Caleigh -Lofstead, Jr., Camas

Madison Lord, Sr., Skyview

Jewell Paden, Fr., Heritage

Alissa Pudlitzke, Sr., Camas

Kaylin Sperley, Fr., Prairie

Julia Stepper, So., Woodland

Ellie Walker, So., C. River

No, Jai’lyn and Dai’lyn Merriweather are not exactly alike.

Jai’lyn is one-half inch taller. Dai’lyn is more talkative.

Dai’lyn’s favorite color is purple. Jai’lyn prefers yellow.

But in most ways, the sophomore sisters from Union are identical. That includes their feats on the track.

Both won state championships last month in Tacoma — Dai’lyn in the 200 meters and Jai’lyn in the 400 meters. Both were part of three relay teams that placed in the top five in the state.

Because their credentials are so identical, The Columbian is naming them All-Region girls track and field co-athletes of the year.

“We are each other’s number one fan,” Jai’lyn said. “I’m always there for her. She’s always there for me. We push each other to do our best.”

May 30 at the state meet turned out perfectly for the Merriweathers.

First, Jai’lyn used a late-race surge to pull away in the Class 4A 400 meter finals. One of the first to greet her at the finish line was a giddy Dai’lyn.

About an hour later in the 200 meters, Dai’lyn wowed the crowd by bolting from sixth place to the lead over the final 80 meters. Jai’lyn said watching that race gave her as much of a thrill as winning her own.

But the state meet wasn’t just catching track lightning in a bottle. It was a day Union coach Scott Eschels said was six months in the making.

“At the hotel on Friday, I ran into Jai’lyn and told her ‘you trained all year for today and tomorrow,'” Eschels said. “I saw two girls that were very determined to improve upon a good freshman year.”

At the 2014 state meet, the Merriweathers made a mark as freshmen. Then running for Evergreen, Dai’lyn placed third in the 400 and sixth in the 200. Jai’lyn placed fourth in the 400.

After their family moved inside the Union school boundaries before the spring semester, the Merriweathers adapted to the change of a new team and a fresh strategy. Eschels wanted the sisters to each have their own event instead of competing against each other.

But that doesn’t mean each sister doesn’t have a role when the other is competing.

“In the 200, I’ll ask (Jai’lyn) to stand at the curve, scream at me and tell me to kick it in,” Dai’lyn said. “I’ll do that for her in the (400 meters) at the 200 meter mark.”