WHS grads make their mark in C of I track and field

Three former Weiser High School track and field athletes, Kylee Quinton, Mattie Shirts, and Abbey Shirts, have continued their athletic endeavors, competing in track and field for the College of Idaho. 

 Just completing her freshman year, Mattie set the indoor school record in the triple jump while jumping a personal record of 37’ 0 1/4”. She also competed in the heptathlon. 

 Quinton competes in the 800 meters and the 3000 meter Steeplechase, as well as cross country in the fall.   

 Both Kylee and Abbey competed at the National NAIA Outdoor Track Meet in Marion, Ind. on May 22-24. They were two of the four members of the 4x800 meter relay that placed in this year’s National Championships, earning them All-American status. Also, Abbey placed fifth individually in the 1500 meters, once again earning All-American status.

 For Abbey, the National NAIA meet marked an end to a stellar cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track career. Abbey earned 14 All-American honors during her career at College of Idaho. She earned two All-American Honors in cross country, placing individually 28th a year ago and fifth this past season. 

 During her five cross country seasons, her teams nationally placed fifth, third, second twice, and last fall won the National Championship. Abbey placed individually nationally in the indoor 1000 meters four times, placing seventh, fifth, fourth, and this spring was national runner-up. 

 In the Outdoor NAIA National Meet, Abbey placed fourth last year, and fifth this spring in the 1500 meters. Also, she has been a member of six All-American relay teams in indoor and outdoor track.  This year, she was named West Region NAIA Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, and last year was named the Cascade Conference Women’s Track Athlete of the Meet. As this article is being written, College of Idaho has been selected as the top national program for this past year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

 After the National Championship meet, Abbey’s coach, Dom Bolin was quoted as saying “… really happy with Abbey’s race today. I knew she was tired from all the racing this week, but as she has done her whole career here at C of I, she went out and performed. I’ve never coached a more consistent racer. It doesn’t matter how she feels, who is in the race, or the weather, she always gets the job done. She ends her time with us with another sensational national meet, also leaves our program as one of the most decorated athletes ever. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been her coach.”