As the last races were run and events were finished on May 13, the 2025 Ida B. Wells High (IBW) School track and field season came to an end. This season for IBW track and field was one for the books, school records were broken, junior varsity (JV) became district champions and numerous stand out players were revealed.
Although track is often seen as an individual sport, IBW track and field has a strong sense of community. The atmosphere on the team is actually one of its biggest highlights. The IBW team is an evenly mix of competitiveness, while also maintaining a level of fun.
Regardless of everyone’s goals, every player tries their hardest and is committed to helping the team succeed. The team cheers each other on, celebrates overall victories and lifts each other up after tough races. The mix of experienced athletes and ones who are there for fun, creates a supportive environment.
The track and field season starts long before the first meet. Many of the track and field athletes have trained for long months, improving their times and increasing their stamina.
A few runners have shown impressive performances over this season. One being IBW freshman Samantha Moylan. Moylan runs an extensive number of events including the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 100m and long jump.
Do not be deterred by her grade, Moylan takes the victory more times than she doesn’t. She even won the long jump and simultaneously set the school record at the most recent Portland Interscholastic League (PIL) tournament, where she jumped 17’ 1.5”. Spending her first year on the IBW track and field team, she primarily runs varsity making her skills and times more impressive.
Another athlete who has shown impressive talent and determination this season is Millie Grabenhorst, an IBW freshman who runs the 100m, 200m, 400m, 100m relay and the 400m relay. Grabenhorst runs both JV and varsity events at meets and even attended the invitation-only Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays.
Grabenhorst’s perseverance and drive to be the best made her an easy standout from others this year. Grabenhorst is a triple-threat athlete and plays a varsity sport at all times. “I run track in the spring, and also do ski team and cross country during the winter and fall seasons,” said Grabenhorst. Just recently on May 13, the JV districts were held and Grabenhorst took first in the 400m running a personal record of one minute and two seconds.
Lastly, IBW sophomore Tilda Hathaway was also an outstanding athlete this year. Hathaway holds not one, not two but six school records in the 40 yard dash, 100m, 200m, 4 by 100 relay, 4 by 200 relay and 4 by 400 relay.
This isn’t anything new as Hathaway has been a spectacular athlete since she was in middle school. In her eighth grade year, Hathaway won second in the PIL middle school championships 100m dash. Hathaway has bright things ahead of her as she transitions into an upperclassman next year.
As this season ends, we can all give our fellow Guardians a round of applause for all that they have achieved. For seniors, it’s the end of their high school track careers, while younger athletes, like Grabenhorst and Moylan, are looking forward to their upcoming seasons.
That’s a wrap on the 2024-2025 Ida B. Wells track season, see you next year Guardians!
