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.”

But before high school, Kadrmas’ love came in distance running, but hurdles piqued her interest by gravitating toward becoming an eventual multi-event specialist. Soon, she became a natural at hurdles.

By this spring, Kadrmas was one of the state’s top hurdlers in the 100 and 300 hurdles, and enter the state meet tied for the top time in 3A (14.89). And she considers herself a technician and perfectionist, constantly fine-tuning her way to state championship form.

By the time she reached the final two hurdles in the 100-meter final, a state title was well within reach.

“I thought, “Oh my gosh, I might actually win this,” she said.

And she did. Her 14.91-second victory at the 3A state meet was only two one-hundredths off her personal-best time ran at districts.

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.