May 29, 2025 Seward Folly Staff

The Seward High School Track and Field Team put on a standout performance at the Region III High School Championships held at Service High School this past weekend, earning their place at the Alaska State Championship, Division 2. Even with classes over for the year, these dedicated athletes kept their focus and drive, sending 22 competitors to the regional meet.

In a testament to their hard work and talent, 17 Seward athletes earned a coveted spot at State. The top finishers in each final, along with the next 12 statewide best qualifying marks, secured their tickets to the championship. This year, Seward’s team exceeded expectations, with athletes meeting their goals despite overly warm temperatures.

“We are busily preparing for State now. Regions was warm and at times a little too warm, causing a few athletes to not perform quite as well. For the most part everyone that was expected to make it to State did and more. We are very happy with how the team has supported each other this year. It shows. And it makes everyone better.”

– Head Coach Ryan Bringhurst

The team’s achievements go beyond physical training — they’ve built a culture rooted in unity and acceptance, guided by the African philosophy of “Ubuntu.” As Coach Bringhurst explains, Ubuntu means, “I am what I am because of who we all are,” and, “I am because you are.”

“We have taken the further meaning that everyone’s background and perspective matters. That’s what leads us to make the right decisions and the best decisions. We have seen how it has brought joy to our coaching staff and helped us work well together. It has been great to see how it has worked with our captains. And I have enjoyed seeing how beneficial and powerful it has been as we have that focus with parents and athletes,” Coach Bringhurst shared.

Parents have noticed the difference, too. They credit Ubuntu for strengthening the team’s bonds and praise the captains for stepping up as mentors and leaders. The sense of community runs deep — every athlete brings something valuable, and together, they create an environment where everyone can thrive.

There’s more good happening on this team than can be captured in a single story. As the Seward High School track and field athletes head to the State Championship this weekend, they carry with them not just individual ambition, but the spirit of Ubuntu and the support of their entire community.

Best of luck, Seward! Your town is cheering you on.

Region III Championship Results

Seward HS State Qualifiers, Place, Event, Time – Boys

Ronan Bickling – 1st, 100m, 11.39, 

1st, 200m, 23.03 PR

Oliver Trobaugh – 6th, 400m, 55.59 PR

Ronan Bickling, Noah Flowers, Marty Fink, Van Shank – 4th, 4X400m relay, 3:46 PR

Olin Liljemark – 1st, High Jump, 6’1” PR

         7th, Long Jump, 17’8”

Luke Elhard – 2nd, High Jump, 5’10”

Van Shank – 3rd, High Jump, 5’8”

  5th, Triple Jump, 37’5”

Seward HS State Qualifiers Place, Event, Time – Girls

Hannah Leatherman – 6th, 100m, 13.82 

         7th, 200m, 28.12 

Regan Seibert – 6th, 200m, 28.04

         4th, 400m, 60.97

Olive Jordan- 2nd, 400m, 60.28

  1st, 1600m, 5:27

  6th, 800m, 2:28

Katie Van Buskirk –  6th, 800m, 2:31

     2nd, 1600m, 5:30

    2nd, 3200m, 12:04

Juniper Ingalls – 5th, 3200m, 12:34

         8th, 800m, 2:38

Indigo Leslie – 1st, 3200m, 12:00

      5th, 800m, 5:37 

Maddie Haas – 3rd, 100m hurdles, 17.21

       2nd, 300m hurdles, 49.30

Esme Wilder – 7th, Shot Put, 27’1″ 

Regan Seibert, Hannah Leatherman, Maddie Haas, Selah Brueckner – 2nd, 4x400m relay, 4:26

Indigo Leslie, Juniper Ingalls, Selah Brueckner, Katie Van Buskirk – 2nd, 4x800m relay, 10:31

https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/meet/601015/results