POULSBO — NKHS track athlete Kim Skelley has been busy this week, preparing to compete in three different events at this weekend’s district competition. But if the pressure’s getting to her, the junior sure doesn’t let it show.

While she’s spent hours practicing for her team’s relay and the individual 400 meter event, Skelley said her best preparation has actually been off the track — on the grass for a good, old fashioned game of frisbee.

“You’ve got to get into the right mindset. This definitely helps,” Skelley said, motioning to her teammates as they unwind with the disc.

Skelley, a fierce competitor whose hard work has been obvious by her ever-improving times, is the first to admit she, too, can feel nervous before such an event.

“I’m going to try to not let my nerves get to me,” Skelley said. “Sometimes your mind can be your worst enemy.”

At this point in the season, there is no margin for error. Each athlete must place in the top eight in an event to go onto Pasco’s state competition. Skelley added that her times in the Narrows League tournament — namely a 61.34 in the 400 meter dash — were below average for her.

“In league, I didn’t get the times I would’ve liked,” Skelley said. “But I still snuck in (to districts).”

Taking off her shoes and running on the NK stadium field, she’s now a little more relaxed — a little more confident.

“I think I’ve got it in me to run under 60 (seconds),” Skelley said. “If I can do that, I’ll have a good chance.”

Skelley isn’t the only North athlete with potential to go to Pasco.

The Vikings’ best chance comes with junior Ryan Young, fresh off a throw of the javelin at the Narrows League tournament last weekend that registered as the best in state — a 199’6’’.

“I knew it was possible but I didn’t have the confidence going in,” Young said.

Young was also able to go to a clinic put on by former Olympian and coach Duncan Atwood. He credits the accomplished athlete and coach as helping him with technique and training.

Young is no stranger to the pressures of Pasco. Though he didn’t compete there a year ago, Young journeyed to watch his teammate, the NKHS-graduated Kolby Hoover.

“We also went (to Pasco) last year to see the atmosphere,” Young said. “To get the feeling of what a prestigious meet like that is like.”

For Young, achieving the best throw in state is well deserved, track coach Dave Snyder said.

“Ryan’s a harder worker,” Snyder said. “He’s a very smart athlete and he puts a lot of time into piecing together the puzzle.”

Snyder added that he likes the chances of all the athletes going to state.

“They’ll need to perform well,” he said, “but man, they’re close.”

For fellow coach Tim Adams, the opportunity to work with the most dedicated athletes at this point of the season is worth the wait.

“This is the part of the season I enjoy most,” Adams said. “These are the kids that work hard and really want to do well.”

With 10 athletes going to districts, Adams said he’s happy, given the initial turnout at the beginning of the year.

“That’s pretty good considering the team is significantly smaller from last year,” Adams said.By JOSH FARLEY

Staff Writer

POULSBO — NKHS track athlete Kim Skelley has been busy this week, preparing to compete in three different events at this weekend’s district competition. But if the pressure’s getting to her, the junior sure doesn’t let it show.

While she’s spent hours practicing for her team’s relay and the individual 400 meter event, Skelley said her best preparation has actually been off the track — on the grass for a good, old fashioned game of frisbee.

“You’ve got to get into the right mindset. This definitely helps,” Skelley said, motioning to her teammates as they unwind with the disc.

Skelley, a fierce competitor whose hard work has been obvious by her ever-improving times, is the first to admit she, too, can feel nervous before such an event.

“I’m going to try to not let my nerves get to me,” Skelley said. “Sometimes your mind can be your worst enemy.”

At this point in the season, there is no margin for error. Each athlete must place in the top eight in an event to go onto Pasco’s state competition. Skelley added that her times in the Narrows League tournament — namely a 61.34 in the 400 meter dash — were below average for her.

“In league, I didn’t get the times I would’ve liked,” Skelley said. “But I still snuck in (to districts).”

Taking off her shoes and running on the NK stadium field, she’s now a little more relaxed — a little more confident.

“I think I’ve got it in me to run under 60 (seconds),” Skelley said. “If I can do that, I’ll have a good chance.”

Skelley isn’t the only North athlete with potential to go to Pasco.

The Vikings’ best chance comes with junior Ryan Young, fresh off a throw of the javelin at the Narrows League tournament last weekend that registered as the best in state — a 199’6’’.

“I knew it was possible but I didn’t have the confidence going in,” Young said.

Young was also able to go to a clinic put on by former Olympian and coach Duncan Atwood. He credits the accomplished athlete and coach as helping him with technique and training.

Young is no stranger to the pressures of Pasco. Though he didn’t compete there a year ago, Young journeyed to watch his teammate, the NKHS-graduated Kolby Hoover.

“We also went (to Pasco) last year to see the atmosphere,” Young said. “To get the feeling of what a prestigious meet like that is like.”

For Young, achieving the best throw in state is well deserved, track coach Dave Snyder said.

“Ryan’s a harder worker,” Snyder said. “He’s a very smart athlete and he puts a lot of time into piecing together the puzzle.”

Snyder added that he likes the chances of all the athletes going to state.

“They’ll need to perform well,” he said, “but man, they’re close.”

For fellow coach Tim Adams, the opportunity to work with the most dedicated athletes at this point of the season is worth the wait.

“This is the part of the season I enjoy most,” Adams said. “These are the kids that work hard and really want to do well.”

With 10 athletes going to districts, Adams said he’s happy, given the initial turnout at the beginning of the year.

“That’s pretty good considering the team is significantly smaller from last year,” Adams said.