In past years, Patrick Baird quietly ran track in the footsteps of D.J. Lincoln. Each week, results from the meet mimicked the previous: Lincoln first, Baird second. But with Lincoln’s graduation in last spring, it was up to Baird to resume control for Enterprise High School.

Fittingly, Baird opened his junior season April 4 triumphant in the 800-meter run at the 72nd annual Carnival of Speed. Track athletes suffered through the coldest meet on record on McLoughlin High School in Milton-Freewater. Despite frigid conditions, the 800 drew 36 opponents. Baird finished well ahead of runner up Ben Iremonger from the Dalles-Wahtonka (Class 5A).

Meanwhile, junior Tricia O’Leary nearly won the girls’ triple jump. Her distance of 33 feet, 4.25 inches was just a quarter of an inch under the champion, Shanie Bushman of Walla Walla High from Washington.

Next, Enterprise athletes go to the Union Track Complex April 11 for the Second Annual Pepsi Invitational. Events begin at 1 p.m.