Athlete of the Year, girls track & field: Gabi Dixson, Battle Ground

Gabi Dixson of Battle Ground is The Columbian's All-Region girls track and field athlete of the year. (STEVEN LANE/The Columbian)

Gabi Dixson had such a memorable season last year that she decided to do it again this year.

Dixson finished her senior season as a high school athlete atop the podium at the Class 4A state girls track and field meet, winning the discus championship for the second consecutive season. This year, she competed against a lifelong friend, topping Alexa Lindset of Ferris for the title.

Dixson shook off her first throw, a sub-par distance of 104 feet. On her second throw, she launched the discus 135 feet, 4 inches. It was a number that would not be topped.

She finished fifth in the shot put earlier in the meet. Those two fine finishes gave her the nod as The Columbian's All-Region girls track and field athlete of the year.

Whoops. Earlier this season, Dixson wondered why track always comes first. So today, for Dixson, we will change the name of the title this year: Just call her the All-Region girls field and track athlete of the year.

Memorable moment from the season: "We just had a blast at state, all of us girls. In the vans, we would rock out. Our coach got kind of mad, but we kept doing it because it was fun."

Advice to a younger athlete: "Just keep working at it. It evolves all the time. Your technique will change through the years. If you keep going at it, you will get better in time."

What is it like to compete for Battle Ground? "I love it. The town's great, the people are great. Most are real supportive. Everyone's got my back. I love being a part of this community."

What is a goal, associated with your sport, that you would like to accomplish in the next few years?: "I want to master the hammer throw. I tried it once, and it was pretty cool. I could see it being a really cool event, and hopefully I can rock it."

Most embarrassing moment: "My pictures in action shots." (Note: Athletes throwing things such as the discus or shot put can have pained looks on their faces.) "Two or three pictures from here (The Columbian) or The Reflector, they were just gruesome. 'Oh, I look so hot. I'm gorgeous.' I'm going to practice smiling when I'm throwing."

What is something about you that might surprise people: Dixson said she is not and will not be a Battle Ground High School graduate. This was the first year she attended the school full-time, but she has been home-schooled. She will earn her home-school diploma. She also loves to sing. That's not surprising, but this might be: "I want a lot more gigs. If you need a singer for anything, call me. Especially for money, because Gabi doesn't want to get a job."

Favorite teachers: Her mom, of course. But there are others, too. "There are really, really great teachers on staff at Battle Ground." Such as Darcy Schmiyt, choir teacher at BGHS. "She'd do anything for her students." Or math teacher David Groat. "My first math teacher at Battle Ground was awesome."

What is a goal, away from your sport, that you would like to accomplish in the next few years: "Graduating from college would be good." She also wants to run a community center, with dozens of activities to offer. She said she couldn't stand it when people tried to get her to focus on one thing, and she does not want children to feel like they have to specialize. "Life is short. You need to do everything you can."

What's next for you in college: "Not really sure, yet. I would like to go to Concordia."

Other sports: Dixson played volleyball and basketball for the Tigers. Volleyball "is actually my favorite sport to play."

What is something you will take away from this season?: "Probably just the amount of support I received from my family, friends, and my church. Everyone was backing me 100 percent."