Anacortes' Dylan Rowell caps historic prep career with four state titles

Anacortes High School senior Dylan Rowell capped his prep career with four state titles at the Class 2A State Track and Field Championships and led the Seahawks to a third consecutive state boys' team title.

Rowell not only won but also set state meet records in the 800-meter run (1 minute, 51.45 seconds), 1,600 (4:03.65), 3,200 (8:50.12) and 1,600 relay, where he teamed up with Austin Duchene, Maverick Ball and Ryder Sill (3:18.47).

Rowell's season went according to plan as he relied heavily on his training, planning and fortitude.

"I wasn't surprised," he said of how he ran at the state meet. "That was the goal going into it, and that was the goal all season. It's really special, especially in front of the crowd and everything. The goal was to just go put on a show and hopefully inspire the younger teammates that were there watching."

And to compete in four events, was that part of the plan?

"The three events were the plan all along," he said. "The 1,600 relay was added a little later. Not the same day as the state meet or anything, but a couple weeks earlier."

In the end, adding a fourth event did not affect Rowell's ability to win the first three.

"I was confident in myself in those championship races that I put myself in the right spot, at the right time, to make the right moves and so that's what ended up happening," he said.

Anacortes coach Brad Templeton said many things make Rowell a good runner.

"Aside from his genetic gifts, Dylan is very motivated and willing to put in the necessary work to achieve his goals," he said. "He is patient, confident, humble and a pleasure to coach.

"He has become such a student of the sport. I know he will always listen to the point of a particular workout and do his best to run it as planned. Competitively, we can go over race strategies in a broad context and I can rely on Dylan to react tactically in a race as he needs to."

The most challenging of Rowell's efforts at the state meet was the 800.

He said it was all about positioning because the race is so fast that if something goes sideways, it's all over within a couple of strides.

"If you miss one move and you get 50 meters behind, that's a lot to make up in such a short race," he said. "The 800 was the race I really went all in on. I wanted to be in the mix in that race, and I wanted to win it. I ran a strong race, and it went according to plan."

And then some; Rowell had such a large lead by the end that he simply cruised across the finish line.

"I think like the last 50 meters I kind of just strided it in because I looked back and there was no one even close," he said. "I didn't know I was going to get the state record in the 800, but I'm learning to push myself and step on the pedal."

It was the same story in the longer distances as Rowell stepped to the starting line with a plan. He executed his plan and crossed the finish line all by himself.

It was all about the team in the relay race.

"That was really just going out there and doing it all for my teammates," he said. "I was just trying to have the best possible legs, so I didn't blow it for them. I just wanted to get the baton to Austin because he's the best 400 runner in the state and I knew if I got it to him with a lead, he'd take us home."

In the fall, Rowell will head to Gonzaga University.

"I'm really excited about that," he said. "I'm excited to go over there. As soon as I went on my visit there, I just knew it was the place to be. I felt right at home."

Rowell leaves later this month to train in Park City, Utah. That's a change from his usual destination of Flagstaff, Ariz.

"I'll be training there for four weeks," he said. "Then it's a quick turnaround, like a day. I get back and then head to the start of (Gonzaga) team camp."

Rowell is looking forward to new challenges.

"I am definitely ready for the next chapter," he said. "I can't wait for that NCAA competition because the standards are so high. I want to win a national championship. That's the end-all goal for right now."

Templeton believes Gonzaga is the perfect fit for Rowell and expects him to flourish there.

"I think Dylan will do wonderfully at Gonzaga," Templeton said. "He is significantly undertrained as elite athletes go, and they have a wonderful program at GU. I can't wait to see him develop. He is prepared for the challenge. Gonzaga is a big winner, and UW has some thinking to do on how they recruit athletes."

Rowell definitely left his mark on the Seahawks track and field program.

"Dylan has provided a symbol for the other guys on the team to show what it takes to accomplish your goals," Templeton said. "That anything is possible if you dedicate yourself to it."

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 7:05 AM.