Jump! Jump!

Cascade senior Gavin Weakley may have discovered a hidden talent that has him soaring to new heights.

Weakley, who has been a Mill Creek student for his entire education, was known as a football and basketball player.  But it’s his track and field accomplishments that are taking center stage.

In his third year as a high jumper, he continues to succeed and has gotten better every year.

The accolades include competing at indoor state for high jump and long jump for the last two years.  This year, he finished in 6th place for both events.

It took no one by surprise that Weakley would be good at the sport; but it did take some coaxing.

According to Coach Ashley Moeller, “I started coaching Gavin as a sophomore. I hounded him about joining the track team because he could dunk a basketball and eventually he agreed. His first year he learned a lot about high jumping and his PR was 5’10”. Last year he blew that out of the water with a 6’4″, which is just 2 inches  from tying the school record.”

Weakly has a few goals for this year. He is very close to achieving the high jump record at 6 ‘6″, and hopes to top that by jumping 6’ 7″at some point. Weakley also hopes to win conference, be named all conference and make it to outdoor state this year for high jump.

With his success has also come some responsibilities; but ones he does not shy away from.

According to Weakley “Being a senior of the team is great. I feel like it comes with more responsibility though. I have to keep the team on track and I have to keep them motivated to keep moving forward and becoming the best athlete that they can be. That’s what being a senior is about. It’s about leaving your mark and making an impact on the team and setting them up for success. That’s what us seniors are doing.”

Weakley’s final season is wrapping up and his plans after graduation are to go to college and major in secondary education. Weakley wants to be a high school teacher and coach when he gets older. He also plans to continue his high jump career in college and hopefully leave a positive impact there too.

For this flying Cadet, even the sky is not the limit.

“I expect  another visit to the state meet for Gavin and I would love for him to accomplish his goal of breaking the school record,
said Moeller. “Gavin has a good heart and already does a great job being a leader and positively coaching his teammates.”