PASCO – Kjirsten Jensen was in a major funk.
To get out of it, she used a last-minute equipment change and positive outlook. The result: Her second state championship in two days.
Jensen, an Arlington High School junior, was up and down during the discus event Saturday at the Class 3A state track and field championships at Edgar Brown Stadium. Jensen, the shot put winner Friday, took the discus lead with her first preliminary throw of the day (117 feet, 3 inches).
But, battling jitters, Jensen scratched three straight times, struggling with her release point and her confidence. Before her final attempt she was locked in a tie with Kaylee Baumstark (Port Angeles).
“I was really nervous. I wasn’t expecting to be, but I came in really nervous,” Jensen said.
As Jensen prepared for her final throw, she mixed things up.
“I picked up a different disc and I kind of calmed myself as much as I could. I just went in there and I knew I could give it my all,” said Jensen.
Jensen’s final throw wasn’t her best of the day, but it was a title-clinching effort. Her toss of 117-2 broke the first-place tie because it was better than Baumstark’s second-best throw.
Jensen said she doesn’t know if she’ll stick with the backup disc from now on, but it sure came in handy in this case.
Everett’s Kirsten Smith placed fourth (115-6). It was a surprise for the junior, who was seeded ninth.
“I just really wanted to make finals,” Smith said, “and getting fourth is even better than I could have imagined. This is awesome.” Smith beat her previous personal record by more than 3 feet.
4A girls meet
Two local girls pulled off an impressive 1-2 finish in the 4A triple jump.
One week after placing second behind Snohomish’s Jessica Yates at the district meet, Rachele Kloke of Stanwood reversed roles. Kloke launched herself 38 feet to place first ahead of Yates (37-10.25).
Kloke, the long jump runner-up Friday, was a state alternate in the triple jump last season. This time she made the most of her official appearance, taking the lead with her third preliminary-round attempt and holding on to win.
The achievement was too much for Kloke, a University of Idaho basketball recruit, to immediately grasp.
“I think I’m kind of a little bit in shock. It hasn’t hit me yet,” she said.
Yates, a junior who entered the meet as the 4A state leader, placed fifth in 2006.
Not far from the triple jump pit, Kamiak continued its strong showing in the pole vault. A day after Kamiak’s Sean Beighton won the boys vault crown, senior teammate Taylor Fjeran placed second in the girls vault.
Fjeran, who tied for sixth last year, cleared 11-6 and was second-best in a field that included the top three 2006 placers. Her previous personal record was 11-3.
“This was a nice way to end,” Fjeran said.
Like many athletes, Fjeran did anything she could to stay cool. At times, she took cover under an umbrella. There was no rain to dodge but it gave her precious refuge from the intense heat.
Fjeran said she was a bit bummed that Beighton wasn’t there to cheer her on – he had to return home, she said – but Fjeran said she was proud to give Kamiak’s vaulting reputation another big boost.
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