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 it,” said Sawhney, who also plays wheelchair basketball. “I just wanted to try it because I obviously do a lot with my upper body for basketball, so I thought throwing events would be fun to try.”

Added Nelson, who is currently a Mercer Island School District physical therapist: “She is such a hard worker that you could see even from a young age that her potential was unlimited in whatever she chose to do. We are so proud of her accomplishments in her first season of track and field and look forward to an even brighter future for her.”

Excitement abounds and adrenaline is unleashed when Sawhney compete in her events, she said. When touching upon her school and state records, she said it was cool to find out that she had achieved those top marks.

Sawhney noted that practicing every day and becoming consistent are crucial elements to her success.

“In the beginning of the season, I didn’t have my throwing chair. I was throwing out of my regular chair. There’s two different chairs. I got a throwing chair, and that really helped me learn how to throw properly and how regular seated athletes throw. That was really cool to get that,” said Sawhney, who moved to the Island in third grade from Atlanta, Georgia.

Throughout the season, she’s soaked up the supportive atmosphere on the track and field scene.

“All the athletes, all the coaches are really nice. I made a lot of friends this year through track. It was really great,” she said.

The Reporter asked Sawhney a series of questions to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her life:

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

I like “Harry Potter.” Me and my brother watch a lot of “Harry Potter.”

What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given?

Keep going and not give up.

If you could go to dinner with one person, who would that be?

I’m a Taylor Swift fan, so probably would be Taylor Swift.

What’s your most binge-worthy TV series that you’d recommend?

I watched a lot of “Stranger Things” the past couple of years, so I’ve been watching that because a new season’s coming out kind of soon.

What about a pet peeve?

Oh, like people chewing with their mouth open. I hate that.

What are your favorite subjects in school?

I really like English. English is kind of fun.

Mercer Island High School’s Sarina Sawhney placed first in the girls wheelchair shot put and javelin competitions at state. Photo courtesy of Scott Knoblich