PREP 3A GIRLS TRACK: Smith throws personal best in the discus

Published 11:58 pm Wednesday, May 14, 2008

SHORELINE — Kirsten Smith’s coach suggested to the Everett senior that she needed a big discus throw to capture a district title.

“How ‘bout 120?” Everett girls track coach Ned Prouse said to Smith during the finals of the discus at Wednesday’s 3A Northwest District Track and Field Championships.

“I can do 130,” Smith said back to her coach with a smile.

Apparently, Smith wasn’t kidding, as she unleashed a personal-best throw of 134 feet to earn a district title over defending 3A state champ Kjirsten Jensen of Arlington. Jensen, who threw 123-9, also qualified for state, setting up another showdown in Pasco next week.

“I love the competition,” Smith said. “Kjirsten’s a great athlete and it’s a challenge every time we compete.”

One of the keys to victory, Smith said, was changing her pre-throw routine by taking more time and taking a couple of extra deep breaths before her throw.

Smith finished fourth in the discus last year and 11th in the javelin and shot put, while Jensen won state in the discus and shot put. The Arlington senior hopes to best her Wesco rival again at state next week.

“I want it, and I’ll be upset if I don’t get it,” Jensen said. “But I try not to focus on that.”

Arlington holds the Day 1 lead with 48 points, Everett is second with 38.5, and Shorecrest sits in third place at 35.5.

Smith also qualified for state in the javelin by finishing second with a throw of 119-4. She said that a good start in the javelin, which was going on at the same time as the discus, helped her mentally in both events.

“Once she gets out of her head that she’s in a major competition and has a little fun with it, she does really well,” said Prouse, whose in-competition coaching gems included shouting, “It’s not that hard. Just throw it farther than everyone else.”

Other local athletes advancing to state were Arlington senior Preslie Duskin, who finished second in the pole vault by clearing 8-6, and Everett junior Suzy Olsen, who was second in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 11:51.42. Olsen was a distant second to Squalicum’s Bronwyn Crossman, last year’s state runner up, who ran an impressive 10:58.43 without being challenged.

Ferndale freshman Haley Locker, the cousin of University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker, blazed to victories in her heats in the 100 and 200 meter dash.

The district meet concludes Friday at Shoreline Stadium.

At Shoreline Stadium

Top two advance to state

Team scores (through five events)—Arlington 48, Everett 38.5, Shorecrest 35.5, Squalicum 28, Sedro-Woolley 15, Mount Vernon 10, Ferndale 10, Lynnwood 9, Meadowdale 1.

3,200—1, Crossman, Squalicum, 10:58.43; 2, Olsen, Everett, 11:51.42. Discus—1, Smith, Everett, 134-0; 2, Jensen, Arlington, 123-9. Javelin—1, Harbine, Ferndale, 124-0; 2, Smith, Everett, 119-4. Long jump—1, Warman, Sedro-Woolley, 17-2.5; 2, Corona, Shorecrest, 15-9. Pole vault—1, Pinley, Squalicum, 8-6; 2, Duskin, 8-6.

For complete results go to Athletic.com