Staff photo by Caleb Brinton. Fairmont's Ellie Ortega puts in the work on her mechanics during a practice leading up to the Sentinel Relays in Fairmont

FAIRMONT – As the Sentinel Relays approach, senior thrower Ellie Ortega prepares for her fifth appearance in the meet and has the podium in her sights.

Most of all, she is excited for the camaraderie that the meet provides.

“I always have fun at this meet,” said Ortega. “We get to be with the JV for Fairmont, but it’s fun seeing all the teams and competing with so many of them. So I’m feeling pretty good.”

Ortega did not start her track and field career as a dedicated thrower, but that all changed with a nudge from former head coach Bob Bonk.

“Back when coach Bob Bonk was coaching us, he would have something called the triathlon. We would do shot put,” said Ortega. “I was really horrible at that the year before. So I made it my goal to be better. So I actually tried, and then he started putting me in events. Then I slowly became more of a thrower as time went on.”

Of course, Ortega’s goal for this season is to see the podium, but it’s a focus on consistency that has become the most important thing this season.

“I definitely want to get a PR because that would be great,” said Ortega. “I guess, long term, just trying to be over, like, 36 feet consistently. So that would probably be my goal.”

As with many Fairmont athletes heading into this meet, the main thing is to stay the same. Despite the size of the meet, Ortega remains confident heading into the meet.

“I kind of just go to practice, learn the fundamentals, and just kind of repetition, but not too much different,” said Ortega.

Ortega currently sits in seventh place in the Fairmont record books with a throw of 37 feet, 5.75 inches, and has found the gold six times this season and has only not been in the top two once between discus and shot put.

The high level of competition that the meet presents is not on Ortega’s radar. She is focusing on what she can do and not who she is up against.

“I just want to do my best. I guess I don’t really have like, teams that I like have in my

mind to beat,” said Ortega.

Ortega will try and continue to build on the success she has had this season at the Sentinel Relays at 4 p.m. on Friday.