7:02 p.m. — Well, better sign off. Been writing stories, hence no recent updates, but the announcer just called the last of the team awards and sent everyone home.
####
5:36 p.m. — There hasn’t been too much involving local kids recently. Micah Diaz of South Medford was fifth in 39.89 in the 6A boys 300 hurdle. Taylor Vandehey of North Valley won the girls 4A race in 46.80. They’re just now starting the long relays, the last event.
###
4:10 p.m. — Kinney places seventh with a throw of 173-4. Believe it or not, Crouser’s 231-1 monster held up for the gold medal.
###
3:47 p.m. — Sam Crouser just stunned the stadium by nearly throwing the javelin out of it. The Gresham junior broke the national high school record with a launch of 231-1. The old record was 229-7. This is what South Medford’s Daniel Kinney has to contend with. They just announced the record is official and the crowd rose and gave him an extended, heartfelt ovation.
###
3:37 p.m. — Well, Kelley Beck accomplished his goal of coming here and winning a state title. Crater junior didn’t set a PR, as he hoped, but he won the 5A boys 400 in 50.18. It came just after Elliott Jantzer and Graham Thirkill went 2-4 for Phoenix. Beck and Jantzer each spoke to how tough the wind on the backstretch, or the first half of the race, made it. Thirkill was overcome with emotion after the race. He and Jantzer had the best prelim times coming in but missed their goal of placing 1-2.
###
2:41 p.m. — Wow, bam, bam, bam. The 1,500 girls and boys races happened one after the other and Crater’s Kayleigh Tyerman, Phoenix’s Elliott Jantzer and Ashland’s Wilder Schaaf all won their second state titles. Tyerman set a meet record with her time of 4:32.02, Jantzer a personal record of 3:57.14, and Schaaf found another gear for another kick down the homestretch to overtake Jordan Ringe of Hermiston in 4:02.64. Zach Elliott of Crater was sixth.
Jantzer still has the 400 and 4×400 relay. Tyerman has the long relay as well.
###
12:50 p.m. — They just had three guys sing a stirring version of the Star Spangled banner. I think the announcer said they were all former competitors here in state track meets. Very nice and they earned rousing applause. Track events just around the corner.
###
12:34 p.m. — We’re getting closer to the start of the running events (at 1). I will say they’re proud of their beverages here. Must be at $4 for a bottled water, a little more for a large Pepsi. My expense account is blowing up, which I’m sure my boss will notice.
###
12:09 p.m. — Milhollin gets third in the hj at 6-5 and Pecktol fourth at 6-3. Moran wins at 6-8 on fewer misses over Clay Johnson of Putnam. Both Milhollin and Pecktol talked about the atmosphere.
“I was feeling great,” said Milhollin. “My mental game wasn’t as good as my physical game. I kind of let the atmosphere get to me a little. It’s crazy. You look around and see thousands of people staring at you.”
Said Pecktol: “It’s pretty overwhelming to know Olympians have jumped in this pit. It’s pretty overwhelming with the crowd, but it’s a great atmosphere for track.”
###
11:05 a.m. — Down to four jumpers, so Pecktol and Milhollin will score well. Two others have no misses, including Lamont Moran of North Salem, who went 6-10 last week at district. The bar moves to 6-5. Gonna head down to the track and check it out.
###
10:54 a.m. — In case you’re wondering why the meet is two days this year instead of three, it’s to save money. The OSAA spends a lot of cash reimbursing teams for travel and expenses to get here, and wiping out one day now seems a no-brainer. There’s a lot to get in in two days, but it went smoothly Friday and I expect the same today.
###
10:51 a.m. — Milhollin comes in at 6-1 and he and Pekctol both clear easily on their first attempts. Bar’s now at 6-2
###
10:42 a.m — Josh Pecktol of North added some early drama to 6A boys high jump, passing until the bar got to 6 feet, then missing twice before clearing the height. Nine are alive still at that height, including South’s Josh Milhollin, who has yet to jump.
