Tara Bergman

Former Centralia Panther, Tara Bergman didn’t travel far for her opportunity to continue her athletic career and she’s definitely taken advantage of her opportunity competing for the Highland Community College track and field team.

Now in her sophomore campaign Bergman and the Scottie track team are in the indoor track season and the former Centralia Panther entered the season eager to pounce on new marks in the shot put and that she has. After tossing over 38 feet in three meets to finish second (at HCC Challenge), fifth (at Cavalier Relays), seventh (at KU Classic) and eighth (at Wyatt Haylett Invite) and just missing the National qualify mark Bergman hit the mark at the Cavalier Open in recent action for the Scotties.

A mark of 12.30 meters (40.35 feet) not only set a personal record for Bergman but also qualified her for the NJCAA National Indoor competition.

During her freshman year the former Centralia Panther enjoyed plenty of success placing 11th in the shot (36’04) and 23rd in the weight throw (29’02.5) at the NJCAA Region VI Indoor Championships. While she competed in the shot put, discus and weight throw over the course of the Indoor and Outdoor seasons and recorded multiple Top 10 finishes.

In high school Bergman wrapped up her Centralia Panther athletic career in impressive fashion as she took second in the discus and eighth in the shot put in Class 1A at State track helping the lady Panthers win the 1A team State title. She also helped the Centralia girls basketball team win the Class 1A-DI State basketball title her senior year and was part of a pair of State volleyball championships for the Panthers, also.

Bergman hopes to continue to improve her shot put mark during the Indoor season and put together a strong performance during the Outdoor season when it rolls around in March.