Right out of the gate, Mercer Island High School (MIHS) sophomore Sarina Sawhney has snagged success in the track and field realm.

Last month, the 16-year-old newcomer to the sport notched state shot put (18’ 6”) and javelin (35’ 2”) titles in the girls wheelchair events at Mount Tahoma High School. She placed second in the discuss (39’ 10”) at the premier event. All three marks are school and state records.

“It was a really cool first experience to experience state,” said Sawhney, who was born with spina bifida. Sawhney explained that she has a hole in her spinal cord and is unable to walk.

Nicole Nelson, an MIHS track and field assistant coach and Sawhney’s former physical therapist at Northwood Elementary School, encouraged her to try the sport.

“I tried it out, and I really liked i

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