All-Region girls track and field: Kate Kadrmas, Mountain View

Kate Kadrmas traded long-distance running for hurdles once she reached high school, and now, Mountain View High’s hurdle specialist the past four years prepares for another transition.

Kadrmas heads to the University of Nebraska’s track and field program as a heptathlete — also known as a multi-event specialist — but not before clearing the final hurdle in her prep career: winning a state title.

Kadrmas won the Class 3A girls 110-meter hurdles in 14.91 seconds at state to become the school’s first champion in hurdles. She also ran a personal-best time in the 300 hurdles to place third.

That perfected the season and career for Kadrmas, The Columbian’s All-Region girls track and field athlete of the year, ended it exactly how she dreamt. As a three-time state participant, she entered last month’s Class 3A state track and field meet with more trust in herself than ever before.

And she couldn’t be more proud of the outcome.

“In previous years, I hadn’t come in with that much confidence,” Kadrmas said. “Over time, I was able to believe myself more and trust my training more.”

Training is exactly what Kadrmas has done all four years in various events. At districts last month, Kadrmas became the meet’s only four-event winner, taking the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 200 meters and long jump. Three of those events as part of the seven-event heptathlon for women in track and field.

As she prepares to compete in the Big 10 Conference, training for different events is what Kadrmas looks forward to most.

“There’s so many things you can work on,” she said, “and improve on. I find it really fascinating with all the difference science that goes into it.”

What makes a good hurdler — or in Kadrmas’ case, also a state champion hurdler — comes down to technique, she said, something she’s perfected throughout her four years at Mountain View.

“Speed is essential,” Kadrmas said, “but it’s not the only thing that matters.”

All-Region girls track and field team

Giovanna Rhoads, Columbia River

WSU-bound senior had three top-3 finishes at 2A state meet in long jump, high jump and triple jump.

Meri Dunford, Prairie

3A District, regional champion in 1,600 and 3,200 placed in top 3 in both at 3A state meet.

Nicole Guthrie, Woodland

District high jump champion won the 2A state title clearing 5-4.

Amelia Pullen, Washougal

2A cross country champion capped prep career running personal-best times in two races, including a fourth-place finish in the 3,200.

Luci Ianello, Columbia River

Ran an area-best 2:18.45 in the 2A 800 to place fourth at state.

Mackenzie Sparks, Ridgefield

2A state javelin champion (128-3) also was member of Spudders’ state title-winning volleyball team.

Kiersten De La Rocha, Washougal

2A state champion in the discus (116-4) to cap a four-year career reaching state.

Ellie Saunders, Seton Catholic

Cleared a personal-best 5-feet-5 at state to win the 1A high jump title.

Grace Gordon, Columbia River

Earned runner-up at 2A state meet in the pole vault (10-6).

Emily Phelps, Fort Vancouver

Gonzaga-bound runner ran personal-best times in the 1,600 and 3,200 to earn top-5 finishes at 3A state meet.

Logan Nelson, Union

4A District 100, 200 champion placed seventh in 200 at state, anchored 4×200 relay to sixth place.