When Kyleigh Archer first hit the runway last season, she really didn’t know what to expect. Neither did many of the kids in Washington who the year before had missed an entire spring sports season.

One thing was certain: they were ready to return to competition.

For many athletes, the COVID-19 season has brought out the best in them, including Archer – who won four individual Greater Spokane League titles and led Shadle Park to a 2A league title.

“I felt like I performed a lot better than I thought I would,” Archer said. “The season overall has gone really well as an individual, but as a team I felt like we were also excelling a lot further than I thought.”

As a sophomore, Archer scored 40 points for the Highlanders in the culminating 2A Championships, winning the 100, 200 and 400 meter dashes as well as the long jump. She achieved personal bests in all but one event.

Of the four events, the 400m was not on the table at the start of the season. But to ensure the team’s success, head coach Nathan Clayton suggested he give it a shot. Archer didn’t hesitate to shine in another event.

“I think it’s my determination and my will to do anything,” Archer said.

“I didn’t really think I would run the 400 since I was just a 100, 200 and long jumper runner, but Coach Clayton suggested I run it, and I did, and now it has become one of my events.”

The first time Archer ran the 400, she almost broke 60 seconds. His time of 1:01.27 was the fourth fastest time in 2A that season.

Archer’s speed in the 100 and 200 has been a factor in her ability to run so fast in an event like the 400. Archer said she knows the real strength to run well in this event comes from her other sports. that she practices. Specifically – football.

“I feel like my stamina in my other sports has helped me,” said Archer, the GSL 2A most valuable offensive player in soccer last spring. “The 400 is considered a sprint, but it’s a long sprint, so being able to maintain that pace comes from playing other sports like football.”

Archer’s power to jump so far comes from basketball, a sport in which she has also won all-league honors.

“You always see football and basketball go hand in hand, but the track is always the one that will keep you fit for both sports,” Archer said. “It may not be your first sport, but I know athletics will help me in the long run to be successful in my other sports.”

This year should be no different from last year. As the top athlete returning to GSL 2A this spring for all four events, Archer expects to not only repeat his accomplishments from last season, but build on that momentum in hopes of qualifying for the competition. state in each of them.

“I want to get to declare in my four events,” Archer said. “I think that’s the ultimate goal – but also to place in the state, of course. I set the bar high last year, so hopefully I can raise it a bit higher this year too. .

“If I work hard, it shouldn’t be a problem for me.”

As for the rest of the Highlanders, almost all of the competitors from last spring’s Championship squad are returning this year, giving Archer confidence that they will accomplish even more in 2022 with the sheer amount of talent returning.

“We could probably expect the same things as last year,” Archer said.

“I have a lot of hope in this team, and I feel like a lot of newcomers have good potential.”