Yelm High School celebrated Trevontay Smith and Tatiyanna Wadley as they signed to continue their track and field careers at the University of Washington and Eastern Washington University.
During the ceremony on June 14, Athletic Director Rob Hill introduced the two athletes and applauded them for their hard work during their years at Yelm High School.
“Tatiyanna Wadley is heading to Eastern Washington University. She’ll be an Eagle. She’ll be throwing the hammer there. Lots of hard work, lots of miles from mom and dad driving around, she’s here now,” Hill said. “(Tre) eclipsed the 50-foot mark in triple jump two weeks ago at the state meet, top eight in the country. All of the sudden, he was on everyone’s map. He’s committing to go jump for the University of Washington Huskies, so he’ll be just up the road.”
That same day, Hill said Smith was named Scorebook Live’s Washington State Multi-Sport Athlete of the Year at the 3A level.
“I had the opportunity to be Tre’s coach the last two years. It’s not just about coaching. This community of Yelm is amazing,” jumps coach Phil Lonborg said. “I came out here after spending almost 40 years at Timberline and River Ridge, and it was my great-nephew Kyler (Ronquillo) that brought me here, and Tre that kept me here. It’s also the community in Yelm that is unbelievable.”
Lonborg said Smith first joined the high school’s track team in 2022 shortly after spring break. After watching Smith work at practice for several days, the coach wanted to introduce him to the triple jump event.
“Every challenge I put in front of him, every opportunity he had, he proved that he was just a big time athlete,” Lonborg said. “From the first few meets, then onto districts and winning the state championship as a junior.”
Following his success, Lonborg and Smith set goals for the athlete to accomplish during his senior season, especially since Smith had a “target on his back” after the title win.
“Every time he was challenged by someone, he responded,” Lonborg said.
The coach said Smith embodied that at the 3A state championship meet when he went toe-to-toe with an Eastside Catholic athlete who jumped 48 feet and 1 inch. With the pressure on, Smith proved he was up for the challenge by jumping 50 feet and 4 inches to win the 3A title.
“When Tre hit that jump, and everyone was there to watch, it was the most memorable jump. He’ll be remembered by me, by everyone, the community,” Lonborg said. “This is not an ending for him. This is just the beginning.”
Lonborg, who said he has been a “dawg” for all his life, is happy he can drive “just up the road” to watch Smith continue his jumping career.
Following Lonborg’s comments, Yelm High School’s girls track and field head coach Dan Baker spoke about Cheney-bound Wadley.
“She’s been a mainstay of our throwing program for quite a few years and it’s been great,” Baker said. “I had the opportunity when she was younger to have her in class, and then to come out and see her throw has been good.”
During her time as a Tornado, Wadley competed in the shot put, discus and hammer events. As a senior, her best throws included a 92 foot and 2 inch throw in discus, a 31 foot and 9.5 inch heave in shot put, and a throw of 122 feet and 8 inches in the hammer event.
“She starts with her regular throws, then goes to the hammer, and she’s catching fire with that and continuing to improve,” Baker said. “She’s continued to improve and one of the nice things that throwers do, and it’s like the community of Yelm, they’re out there working on their own improvements, but they’re making sure the younger athletes know what they need to do.”
Baker said his drive to watch Wadley compete will be a little longer than Lonborg’s drive, but noted it will be worth it.
“There are big things in her future,” Baker said. “The Eagles are lucky to have her and we’re just so lucky to watch her succeed.”
