By Alexa Wilkins
Staff Writer

From early season meets anxious about what’s to come, to qualifying for the state championships; the Clackamas Cougars track and field team turned up the heat this year meet by meet.

The Cougars took part in various events at the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Track and Field Championship at Mt. Hood Community College on May 19 and 20. In last year’s championship, the college had a solid experience as well and placed in almost every event.

In the 2025 championship the men’s bracket placed fourth overall and the women’s bracket placed sixth overall.

The track and field team won a total of 32 medals, one of which being gold. Despite being a freshman and weighing just about 195 pounds, Ethan Aman out threw his competitors in shot put. His second throw of the event was a personal record of 16.23 meters, which secured him first place.

Aman said, “I kinda shut it down in the beginning of the series, yeah, I’m very excited with my performance.”

Clackamas remains the reigning shot put champs following last year’s shot put champion Henry Buckles. Confident, Aman said, “It was good to go out there and do my job,” having faith in bringing home the gold for the Cougars.

That wasn’t his only thing he held pride in. Aman expressed his gratitude for his experience in being able to throw for CCC, saying it was “good to put on a show for my guys,” referring to the throwing team that was there for support, celebrating his win.

Aman even made a shout-out to Izraiah Fletchner for being a good friend of his since middle school when they first started playing track together. Friends and family have been an important theme for this team as they push each other to do their best not only for themselves but for the team. Fletchner placed fifth in long jump with a 6.46 meter stretch.

Izraiah Fletchner sliding in the sand during the long jump event. Photos by Quinton Prudhomme

Three people placed second in their events including sophomore Treyson Wakefield in the 100 meter, recording a time of 10.9 seconds. Sophomore Kalil Irby participated in the high jump and hit his season best with a 1.92 meter jump. Finally, freshman Hayden Slaughter recorded a distance of 46.01 meters in men’s discus throwing.

Treyson Wakefield with various competitors approaching the finish line in the 100 meter dash.

CCC earned three third place finishes as well, including sophomore Talbot Friesen in the 3000 meter steeplechase with a time of 9:54.51. Although not his personal best, Friesen has had an amazing season. Friesen placed first overall for the 2025 NWAC season when he ran a personal record finish at the Larry Byerly Invitational of 9:48.52.

The Cougars took third in the men’s shot put, not leaving Aman alone on the podium. Sophomore Karch Kipp earned his placement by throwing 14.58 meters.

The last CCC athlete to earn third place was also the only woman to place top three; redshirt sophomore Brenna MacPherson-Cearns threw 41.69 meters in the women’s hammer throw.

Outside of MacPherson-Cearns, Emma Longfellow placed fourth, Alyssa Aune placed fifth, and Nabaa Hussein placed seventh in the women’s hammer throw.

The Cougars have made big changes this year. Since COVID they have been struggling with keeping a new head coach since Keoni McHone left that position in2020.

Bridgette Carpenter, previously the hurdles and sprint coach, stepped up at the end of the 2024 season as the new head coach. The team seems to be very grateful for it, as Andrea Goulet, one of the track and field team captains said, “As soon as Coach Carpenter took over, it was like an instant change, like, we all became a family, we all started doing team bondings.”

Carpenter said she is working with each athlete’s strengths.

“My goal/philosophy as a coach has always been to build well rounded athletes. I didn’t just want them to succeed on the track, but in school and build character as they start their adult lives,” Carpenter said. “One of the hardest things about being a head coach, especially for a bigger team, is knowing each athlete is unique, they all require different training plans, specialized recovery and take feedback and criticism differently.”

The team shows their gratitude not just for their head coach, but for coaches that specialize in sprints, jumps and more.

Goulet said, “I wouldn’t be anywhere without Coach Greene and Coach Carpenter. Their support, love and belief in me is what has motivated me and allowed me to believe in myself.”

Tanner Hardley pushing himself over the line during a pole vaulting competition.