Redmond High’s Jack Ellis and Caitlyn Axe have the premier Pasco Invitational under their belts and they’re ready for more track and field action. The Mustangs are gunning for spots in the postseason, especially the state meet next month.
Ellis competed at the 3A state event last year and has gone to Pasco twice. While discussing his craft before practice on Monday, the senior’s smile seemed to say that he’s in a perfect spot when throwing the javelin.
“It’s just fun — it’s half a sprint, half a throw. It really is technically demanding to do all the different positions while you’re throwing, and a lot to think about,” said Ellis, who threw the shot put in middle school and switched to javelin his freshman year.
His personal javelin record is 165 feet, which he nailed at an all-comers meet last summer. In high school competition, he unleashed his best throw of 164-08 feet to take first at the recent Ray Cockrum Relays in Wenatchee.
Ellis plans on continuing his javelin career at either George Fox University or Montana State next year.
On the sprinting front, senior Axe notched a PR of 62.4 seconds in the 400 meters at Pasco on April 14. She was all smiles on Monday when noting that she’s PR’d in every race so far this season.
“I’m feeling really good, it’s been a good season. My times so far have been by far faster than where I was last year this point in the season, so that’s really exciting and promising for the upcoming postseason,” said Axe, who also runs in the 4×400-meter relay.
Axe stepped onto the running scene her freshman year and has attended the state cross country meet as an alternate twice and nearly made the state track cut last season.
“I’ve just been really determined this season to reach my full potential running-wise, so I put in a lot of work over the offseason and it’s been really paying off in the season so far,” she said.
The Reporter asked Axe and Ellis a series of questions for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their lives.
Reporter: What’s your favorite restaurant in Redmond?
Axe: I go to Feed Co for burgers a lot.
Ellis: Sushi Land.
Reporter: What’s your biggest pet peeve?
Axe: People that eat with their mouth open or chew really loudly.
Ellis: Munching noises or just weird noises that people make when they’re eating.
Reporter: What’s your dream vacation spot?
Axe: I would love to go to the Mediterranean. It’s just beautiful and the food is great.
Ellis: Oregon coast ‘cause of the crabbing, fishing and all the outdoor stuff you can do, and the beaches.
Reporter: What’s something that’s unique about you that people don’t know about?
Axe: I have a twin sister. I was born in Cambridge, England.
Ellis: I can do the splits, I did it at homecoming this year (on the dance floor), getting that javelin flexibility going. I can walk on my hands, too.
Reporter: What’s your favorite hobby?
Axe: Besides running? I like reading, hanging out with friends, being outside — kayaking, hiking.
Ellis: Fishing and crabbing, for sure, on the coast.
Reporter: What’s your favorite kind of music?
Axe: It changes all the time depending on my mood. I like hip-hop and rap.
Ellis: You watch the Olympics, right? Did you see the Haka that the Fijian team did before their rugby game? Real tribal chant music.
Reporter: What’s the last movie you saw?
Axe: “Jumangi.” It was hilarious, I love Kevin Hart.
Ellis: I saw “Black Panther.” It was just another great Marvel movie, all those are amazing. Lots of action, good story line.
Reporter: Who’s your favorite idol growing up?
Axe: I’ve always looked up to my parents.
Ellis: This old American javelin thrower named Duncan Atwood. He’s just a great person, he knows a lot about the sport. I’ve watched a lot of his videos and there’s so much to learn from him, about the technique and how just to get your body in the right positions.
Left, Redmond High javelin thrower Jack Ellis and 400-meter sprinter Caitlyn Axe compete at the Pasco Invitational on April 14. Photos courtesy of Stuart Lui
