Jaclyn Onosko just wanted to run.
The Kentridge High junior didn’t have any interest in heaving a shot put, springing off a pole vault or twisting and turning over a high bar. Instead, the 17 year old decided to turn out for the track team this spring for one reason, and one reason only — to run.
Ironically, while Onosko showed plenty of potential with her legs during those first few days of the season, it was her arm — of all things — that essentially stood out the most. A gifted all-around athlete, Onosko put that golden right arm on display during an early season practice, when coaches put all the athletes through a decathlon. The series of events is aimed at finding the strengths of each athlete.
And when Onosko stepped up in the softball throw, her greatest track and field strength became clear — the javelin.
“I threw the softball pretty far,” said Onosko, who grew up playing fastpitch, but chose to step away from that sport after her freshman season. “That’s why they put me in javelin.”
Onosko’s softball toss that particular day created a nice ripple effect among the Kentridge coaches.
“Our throwing coach came over to me immediately and asked if he could have Jaclyn in the javelin,” said Kentridge girls coach Lisa Robin. “We agreed, that, yes, we should take that opportunity to put Jaclyn in the javelin.”
But things haven’t exactly been that cut and dry for Onosko because, unlike other events, the javelin is not a scored competition during South Puget Sound League North Division regular-season meets. So instead of concentrating full time this season on the art of throwing the javelin, which ultimately would have taken the Kentridge standout away from a handful of running events — and, in the process, cost the Chargers some valuable team points — Onosko didn’t go full throttle in the event until a little less than a month ago.
Onosko’s delayed takeoff in the event, however, has hardly stopped her from soaring to new levels.
In fact, during last week’s SPSL meet, the Kentridge junior uncorked a toss of 101-feet-4 inches, good enough for top honors in the event and a berth in today’s West Central District meet at Mount Tahoma High. The top six placers in each event at the district meet advance to next week’s state meet, which also will be held at Mount Tahoma High.
“I was super nervous,” Onosko said, referring to her performance at the league meet. “My first throw was really bad. Then, I just went out and had fun with it. When I just have fun with it, I always throw my best.”
She did just that. And judging from Onosko’s rapid ascension, a state berth is a distinct possibility.
“Yes, she definitely could make it to state,” Robin insisted.
Not bad for a kid who didn’t come out for the track team until just a couple months ago.
Yet, while Onosko’s arm and ability have proven golden in the javelin, she also has had the opportunity to use those legs as well. She remains part of Kentridge’s three relay teams (the 4 x 100, 4 x 200 and 4 x 400), all of which also will be competing in the district meet.
But it has been Onosko’s arm that has created the biggest buzz this spring. Though, admittedly, she had some initial reservations.
“I always wanted to run,” said Onosko, who also plays basketball and volleyball at Kentridge. “I never considered throwing at all. At first, I wasn’t too excited because I liked the running events. Then I got to the first meet and got 95 (feet) and I started to enjoy it. My goal was to break 100. Then I (set a personal record).
“Winning was icing on the cake.”
Though Onosko has proven to be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to success for the Chargers this spring, a group that possesses enough talent to make some serious waves during the district meet. Much of that talent is part of Kentridge’s surging relay teams, which is a combination of Onosko, Katie Lake, Molly Shiroishi, Dana Johnson, Danyell Wilson and Haley Bertelsen depending on the event.
“They’ve been dropping times consistently the last few weeks,” Robin said. “It’s exciting to have a couple good relay teams. We’re very excited about it. They have given us everything we’ve asked.”
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