Elsie Herold of Mark Morris named The Columbian's All-Region girls track and field athlete of the year

Confidence wasn't something Elsie Herold suddenly discovered this spring.

The Mark Morris High junior had been building toward this spring's track and field season for years.

After countless hours of training and lessons through both success and failures on the track, Herold, The Columbian's All-Region girls track and field athlete of the year, delivered a dominant state-meet performance.

She captured Class 2A state titles in the 100-meter hurdles and 300 hurdles - including a meet-record 42.85 seconds in the latter - and helped lead two Monarch relay teams to podium finishes.

"I'm just so much different this year," Herold said. "I came out with confidence. .... I just know that I have what I need to accomplish my goals."

That confidence was built through preparation.

Herold credits Mark Morris sprints coach Travis Nagunst for helping elevate her development. Weight training, she said, also became a major piece of her success as she transformed from a promising freshman into one of the state's premier hurdlers.

As a freshman, Herold relied heavily on natural endurance and technique. Now, after completing her junior campaign, she has rewritten the Mark Morris record books in several events. She owns school-record times in both hurdle events, 100 meters, 400 meters and the 4×200 and 4×400 relays.

What made Herold's state-title achievements even more impressive was the adversity she overcame along the way.

In early May, Herold experienced something new: a fall during the 300 hurdles at Washougal's Panther Twilight. She said the setback rattled her confidence and forced her to confront the mental side of the event. Instead of allowing it to define her season, Herold said it fueled her motivation.

"That was just like an eye-opener for me," she said. "It was a little scary. It took me a while to get over that."

By the time the state championships arrived the final weekend in May in Tacoma, Herold moved past those doubts.

She kicked off her title run by winning the 100 hurdles after posting a personal-best 14.64 seconds in the preliminaries. Then, on a busy Saturday in which she ran three races, she shattered a 13-year-old state-meet record in the 300 hurdles.

Herold believes she still has another gear.

"I know I have so much more," she said.

While her individual accomplishments grabbed headlines, Herold takes equal pride in the success of her relay teams. She helped the Monarchs earn state placings in both the 4×200 (sixth) and 4×400 (third) relays.

High school athletes in Washington are limited to four events per meet, but Herold willingly used half of hers on relays. She said being part of both relays gave her an opportunity to help younger teammates experience success.

Watching teammates develop throughout the season and celebrating their accomplishments at state made the relay medals just as meaningful to Herold as her individual state titles and meet-record performance, she said.

"We were really crying after that," Herold said. "I was so happy for them. ... It's different being on a relay. You get to celebrate with others, and I want to get people as far as they can."

Rest of the All-Region girls track and field team

Paris Ackerman, Skyview: Senior capped her career with 4A state-meet podium finishes at 100 meters (12.30) and 200 meters (24.72).

Samantha Evans, Columbia-White Salmon: Junior placed second at 1A state meet at high jump (5-4); personal-best 5-5 ranks among state's top 10 marks.

Sierra Garden, Camas: Senior went from 21st place at state in pole vault in 2025 to 4A state champion (12-0) this season.

Violet Heidt, Seton Catholic: Junior competed in 8 events this spring; was second at 1A state meet at 200 (25.17) and fifth at triple jump (35-5.50).

Ella Koch, Union: Oregon State-bound senior earned 4A state-meet podium finishes in the 1600 (4:31.14, third) and 3200 (10:44.49, second).

Leilani Mays, Union: Junior won the 4A 100 hurdles state title (14.66) in a season that included running the state's third-fastest time (14.14).

Jordyn Robarge, Kelso: WWU-bound senior set school record in shot put (42-7) and became school's first girls 3A shot put state champion (41-9.75).

Sophia Strong, Mountain View: Junior reached 3A state meet in three events, including a third-place medal in pole vault (11-6).

Macy Swanson, Kelso: Senior was 3A state runner-up in the pole vault and set a school record earlier this season (12-7).

Ella Thompson, Camas: Multi-event standout placed second at 4A state meet in the javelin (136-3) and sixth in high jump (5-0).

Eleanor Treadway, Kelso: Senior uncorked a lifetime-best javelin throw of 133-8 to place second at 3A state meet.

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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 7:04 AM.