Lions’ track team wants it all this season

Boys’ squad brings back most of last year’s team, thinking league title might be in the works

By John Brewington

The South County Spotlight, Mar 16, 2010

LEAPS AND BOUNDS—St. Helens’ Jose Lujano is expected to help the track team in the hurdles this season.

John Brewington / The Spotlight

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The St. Helens High track coach has been around long enough to know a winner when he sees one and he believes the Lions have a good shot at a 5A Northwest Oregon Conference district title this spring.

Now in his 28th season at St. Helens and 31st as a head coach, Gerry Tinkle is the dean of track coaches in the league and around the state. His 2007 boys’ team won the first 5A state championship. He coached for five years at Central Catholic, three as head coach before coming to St. Helens.

Tinkle says of this year’s squad, “The boys’ team returns almost everyone. We finished third last year and are looking to win it all this season.”

Tinkle had 120 turn out for this year’s teams, but notes that pales in comparison to the 180 some of the Hillsboro schools have.

The coach points to returnees Jose Lujano(hurdles, long jump), Will Lawrence (400 meters), Neiko Jones (sprints, triple jump, long jump), and the 4x100 relay team that competed in the state meet last year.

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