By Aaron Coe
Herald Writer
SNOHOMISH – After he had cleared the high jump bar at 6 feet, 6 inches, Snohomish’s Warren Eickoff suddenly became a fan of Cascade track.
More specifically, he began rooting for the only other competitor left from the field of 20 leapers – Cascade’s JaMichael Bailey – on Day 1 of the Western Conference North Division meet.
He was thrilled when his rival uncorked a jump that cleared the bar by a good three inches on Bailey’s final attempt. The crowd that had gathered beyond the fence surrounding the track at Snohomish’s Veterans Memorial Stadium applauded, and the anticipation grew as the bar was set at 6 feet, 8 inches.
Though neither cleared that final height – both came close on the respective third and final attempts – the rivals were thrilled for themselves and each other.
“We’ve always been neck and neck,” said Eickoff, a senior who won the event because he cleared 6-6 in less attempts. “JaMichael’s got crazy hops. He’s definitely got more hops than I do, but I’ve worked on the technique a little more.”
Bailey, who took up track last year as a junior, soared high on most of his attempts, but sometimes peaked a little early. Still his height Wednesday was a personal best and his effort delighted fans.
“I bless God and he blessed me,” said Bailey, also a standout basketball player. “It’s fun to go head to head like that. It’s all about sportsmanship.”
Five event finals were contested on Wednesday with the remaining 12 scheduled for Friday at Snohomish. The top four finishers in each event qualified for the District I meet, which will be held at Stanwood High School next Wednesday and Friday.
After all other events had long been over, Arlington’s McKane Lee wowed the few remaining spectators in the pole vault. With the crowd clapping slowly as he approached his launching pad, Lee tied the state’s best of the year at 16-6.
Derek Fekkes was feeling plenty rested for the 1,600-meter run, which was the only boys final running event Wednesday. The Stanwood miler went to sleep at 6:45 on Tuesday night and woke up for school nearly 12 hours later. Fekkes was in the middle of a 10-man pack for the first three laps before his final-lap awakening. Fekkes, who won his 800 preliminary heat by 20 meters to qualify for Friday’s final, turned on the jets heading into the first turn and emerged with a solid lead with 300 meters left. He held off the Snohomish threesome of Faraz Bala, Ryan Roache and Jimmie Poier to win the race in 4 minutes, 26.91 seconds.
“I’ve been pretty tired lately, so I got some rest (Tuesday night),” said Fekkes, whose qualifying time was the fourth best of the field. “I felt like I had a lot left in the last lap, so I just went for it.”
Arlington’s Bodewig won the long jump with a leap of 21-5. Mike Johnson of Lake Stevens threw the shot put 53-4.25 to claim first place.
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