Orofino Natives Shine in Track and Field Throws

LC State athletes set records and achieve top finishes at Whitworth's Jeff Rahn Classic

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:12pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, geometric painting depicting the silhouettes of athletes in the midst of a throwing event, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form conveying the raw power and dynamism of the sport.The explosive energy and dynamic motion of track and field throwing events are captured in a cubist-inspired illustration.Spokane Today

Reid Thomas and Ruby Kessinger, both natives of Orofino, Idaho, had standout performances for the LC State track and field team at the Whitworth University's Jeff Rahn Classic. Thomas broke the program record in the shot put, while Kessinger earned spots in the record book for the shot put and hammer throw.

Why it matters

The success of these Orofino natives highlights the strength of the LC State track and field program and its ability to develop top-tier talent from the local community. Their record-breaking performances showcase the program's competitiveness at the regional level and could lead to national recognition.

The details

Reid Thomas broke his own program record in the shot put with a throw of 15.05m, placing fifth in the event. He also finished eighth in the hammer throw. On the women's side, Ruby Kessinger had a strong showing, earning spots in the record book for the shot put (third-best in program history at 12.84m, sixth place) and the hammer throw (fifth-best in program history at 45.96m, fifth place). Other LC State athletes, including Kobe Wessels in the 1500m and Camden Koerner in the long jump, also had impressive finishes.

  • The Jeff Rahn Classic was held on April 11, 2026.

The players

Reid Thomas

A student-athlete at LC State who broke the program record in the shot put with a throw of 15.05m.

Ruby Kessinger

A junior student-athlete at LC State who earned spots in the program record book for the shot put and hammer throw.

Mike Collins

The head coach of the LC State track and field team.

Kobe Wessels

An LC State student-athlete who had the fourth-best 1500m time in program history.

Camden Koerner

An LC State student-athlete who had a strong performance in the long jump.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Another outstanding day for the throwers. Pretty excited for them.”

— Mike Collins, Head Coach

“Also a nice day for Kobe in the 1500m who was up there amongst the national leaders, not quite a national standard, but that still might be a good enough mark at the end of the year. Looking forward to next week as we head into the University of Oregon which is an exciting place to be. To be in an arena with world-class athletes and just be in that type of setting should be fun.”

— Mike Collins, Head Coach

What’s next

The LC State track and field team will compete at the University of Oregon next week, which will provide an opportunity to showcase their talents against top-level competition.

The takeaway

The strong performances by Orofino natives Reid Thomas and Ruby Kessinger demonstrate the depth and competitiveness of the LC State track and field program, which continues to develop elite talent from the local community. Their record-breaking efforts could lead to national recognition for the program.