Bartlow Is WP’s Head Track Coach

WAITSBURG - Head football coach Jeff Bartlow is now also WP's head track and field coach.

Bartlow, who has been on the track and field staff as an assistant coach for a decade, was hired at the last meeting of the Waitsburg Prescott sports combine last week. He replaces longtime track and field coach Ron Huntington, who retired after the last season.

"He's our best fit for the job," Prescott High School Athletics Director Jack Smiley said. "He'll do great because he is dedicated and organized."

The fact that there were no other applicants for the top position on the coaching staff doesn't diminish the enormous value Bartlow brings to the job, Smiley said.

The successful football mentor has already established his reputation as one of the best coaches in the region for that sport, and he will be leading many of the same male athletes in Track & Field.

Bartlow's only regret is that his sons Zach and Kyle both play baseball in spring, and he'll miss a number of their games. Otherwise, he said he's ready to go.

"I'm excited," he said in a recent interview. "So many of my football players do track."

Bartlow is already assembling his coaching staff. Lesley Stockton, who retired as a head track coach and PE teacher at Walla Walla High School some years ago, will share jumping and throwing coaching with Bartlow. She was assistant coach for those activities last year.

Head cross country coach Joanna Lanning will be assistant track coach for distance running. She was middle school coach for the sport last year and now assumes Huntington's focus on preparing high school athletes as well.

John Stockton (no relation to Lesley Stockton) will oversee relay races, sprints and high jumps. He was the head coach for track and field in Dayton for 25 years.

"You see: I'll be around a lot of talent," Bartlow said. "It will be really nice to have."

The first day of track and field practice in Monday, Feb. 28. So far, 16 boys and six girls from Waitsburg have signed up for the sport. A list from Prescott was not immediately available.