O’Dea Track & Field Heads Into State with Fire and Focus

By: Nate Black, Max Phillips, Zion Moimoi, and Lamar Darden

SEATTLE--- The O’Dea Fighting Irish track and field team is heading into the state championship meet with everything on the line, and you can feel the energy building. After months of early mornings, hard workouts, sore legs, and close finishes, it all comes down to this. The moment where the fastest, strongest, and most mentally tough athletes in Washington step onto the biggest stage.

This year’s O’Dea squad isn’t just showing up to compete, they’re showing up to prove something. Every practice, every relay handoff, every last rep in training has been building toward this meet. The team has grown stronger together through the season, developing depth across sprints, distance, and field events that could turn into huge points when it matters most.

The throwing groups have been one of the most exciting parts of the team, bringing real intensity every time they get in the circle. The shotput and discus teams, in particular, have been locked in on perfecting the small details; because at state, it’s not just about distance, it’s about execution. One clean throw or one strong attempt can be the difference between medals and heartbreak.

In the distance races, O’Dea athletes have shown toughness and grit, staying patient early and pushing hard when it counts. These races aren’t just physical, they’re mental battles, and the Irish have been preparing to stay locked in no matter how painful it gets late in the race.

What really stands out about this team, though, is the energy and leadership. Upperclassmen have set the tone, but younger athletes have stepped up without hesitation, refusing to back down from pressure moments. That mix has created a team that genuinely believes it can compete with anyone in the state.

Sophomore Kyler Harden has been one of the voices and contributors helping push that mindset forward. His approach reflects exactly what O’Dea is bringing into state: confidence, belief, and hunger. As Harden stated, “We’ve worked all season for this, now it’s just about executing and competing when it matters most.”

As the championship meet arrives, the goal is simple: leave nothing behind. Every race, every jump, every throw is another chance to fight for points and represent the school with pride. The margins at state are small, but O’Dea knows it has the talent and heart to be right in the mix.

No matter what happens, this team isn’t backing down. They’re walking into state ready to compete, ready to battle, and ready to show exactly what O’Dea track and field is all about.