It's time to lace up and cast your vote! The News Tribune is proud to present our Track & Field Athlete of the Week for performances from May 4 to 9. With an impressive lineup of South Sound athletes breaking personal records and dominating their events, the competition is fierce. Voting is open now through noon Thursday, so don't miss your chance to support these standout stars.
From lightning-fast sprints to grueling distance runs and powerful jumps, this week's candidates have shown incredible dedication and skill on the track and field. Let's take a closer look at the athletes who have earned their spot on the ballot:
Boys Candidates
- Court Atkin, Puyallup – Dominated the 800 meters with a winning time of 2:09.79 at the Puyallup School Districts Championships.
- PJ Beattie, Puyallup – Set a personal best in the 3,200 meters, crossing the finish line at 11:13.41.
- Oliver Buchanan, Silas – The junior blazed to a new personal record in the 100-meter dash, clocking 11.02 seconds at the Tacoma All City meet.
- Atzel Chavez Avelar, Gig Harbor – Shined in the 200-meter dash with a personal best of 22.62 seconds against Bellarmine Prep.
- Luke Egan, Rogers – Took the 1,600 meters in a strong 4:51.21 at the district championships.
- Jack Greer, Gig Harbor – Showcased endurance in the 1,600 meters, securing a win with a time of 4:48.77.
Girls Candidates
- La'vaya Battle, Stadium – The sophomore leaped to victory in the long jump with a mark of 16 feet, 7 inches at the Tacoma All City meet.
- Anya DeBoer, Rogers – A double threat, winning both the 200 meters (26.82 seconds) and the 400 meters (1:00.29) at the district championships.
- Jessie Coale, Stadium – Claimed the 1,600-meter run with a time of 5:52.88, demonstrating steady pace and grit.
Whether you're a fan of speed, strength, or stamina, these athletes have proven they have what it takes to compete at the highest level. Voting is easy—just find the poll below and make your pick. If you're having trouble viewing it, try opening this page in Chrome or Safari. Please note that emailed votes will not be counted.
Want to see your favorite athlete featured next week? Coaches, parents, and fans can submit nominations by emailing reporters Jon Manley (jon.manley@thenewstribune.com) or Tyler Wicke (twicke@thenewstribune.com), or by sending a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler). Be sure to include the athlete's name, school, year, event, and stats from the past week. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. Sunday.
Celebrate the hard work and talent of these young athletes—vote now and help us crown the Track & Field Athlete of the Week!