Submitted photos – Russell Pascascio, Luke Kamrud, Gabby Crosswhite and Maya Brightman at their recent letter signing ceremony at Fortuna High.

By Ray Hamill — There’s a reason the College of the Redwoods track and field team has been as competitive as it has been in recent years, and that’s showing no signs of slowing down.

It all starts with recruiting and head coach Reed Elmore has been busy adding more local athletes in recent weeks as the Corsairs continue to build for the future.

Most notably, four Fortuna seniors have committed their futures to the team and all four were on hand at a recent letter signing ceremony.

The newcomers, who are still busy enjoying one final season competing at the high school level, include Maya Brightman, Russell Pascascio, Luke Kamrud and Gabby Crosswhite.

Brightman will compete in the sprints, while Pascascio is one of the top jumpers in the H-DNL right now, Kamrud is a middle distance specialist and Crosswhite will continue a good recent CR tradition in the distance races.

“The best part about them is they’re all nice people,” Elmore said. 

Pascascio has been a multi-sport standout for the Huskies but appears set to focus on track and field at the college level and will give the CR jumpers a big boost with his commitment to the program.

Elmore, who has been very involved with the local track and field scene for several years, is very familiar with the Fortuna senior.

“I’ve been watching that kid jump since he was a little kid,” the CR coach said. “So it’s awesome to see him come to CR. He’s like a stud now. He’s doing very well. He jumps 6-4 and he’s very consistent.”

Kamrud, meanwhile, is expected to have an immediate impact in the 400 meters and is enjoying a very good senior season in the H-DNL.

“He’s a talented runner, and he likes running the 400,” the CR coach said. “Luke will do the training. He’ll do what it takes and that’s huge.”

Submitted photo

On Wednesday, Kamrud set a PR on his way to winning the event at the second H-DNL meet of the spring at McKinleyville High School, finishing in a time of 53.03 seconds.

Brightman also has impressed for the Huskies this season in the sprints and she set a PR in the 200m on Wednesday with a time of 28.34 seconds.

And the CR coach likes her approach to the sport.

“She’s committed to doing it,” Elmore said. “She shows up to practice. And she’s going to get faster. She has a big upside.”

Croswhite has impressed this spring in the 800m and 1600m and already has set her sights on making an impact at the college level, where she will compete in both cross country and track for the Corsairs.

Elmore expects her to run the 800m, the 1500m and the 5K and to help continue the team’s recent success in those events.

“She also has a huge upside,” the CR coach said. “She’s running fast already, and she’s already asking if we have a summer training program. She wants to train in the summer time, so that’s already at a college level.

“I think she’ll be part of a very strong cross country team next year.”

It’s not just the talent of the Fortuna foursome that has impressed Elmore. 

“Bering receptive to training is better than talent,” Elmore said. “And they are.”

The coach says he is looking to add some other local athletes to his roster for next year.

In the meantime, the Corsairs continue to impress this spring as they get set for the Humboldt Invite this weekend.

“It’s been great,” Elmore said of the season, despite having to battle the weather. “The magic is happening again. Our sprints are getting better, our throwers are doing great.”