The Kent-Meridian High boys track team got a little bit from everybody in red, white, and blue Friday and Saturday at Mount Tahoma High.
And the Royals needed every bit of it, too.
Behind multiple standout performances by Derrick Daigre and Abu Kamara along with a few nice surprises along the way, the Royals held off Skyview en route to securing the West Central District title.
Kent-Meridian edged Skyview 62.5-62 for the crown. Rogers finished in a distance third with 50 points.
As much as Daigre and Kamara were critical to Kent-Meridian’s success, their achievements have become commonplace the last two years. Daigre won the 800 with a blistering personal best of 1:51.72, nearly three seconds ahead of Gig Harbor’s Will Drinkwater (1:54.47). Meanwhile, Kamara, one of the state’s elite sophomores, bagged titles in the 110 hurdles (14.95) and 300 hurdles (40.23).
The pivotal performance for the Royals, however, came from Sam Hoard in the high jump. Hoard, a senior, grabbed a sixth-place finish with after uncorking a mark of 6-2.
“That was a pretty big surprise,” said Kent-Meridian coach Ernie Ammons. “He had been jumping 5-10 all year. We were hoping he could go 6-2.”
Hoard had turned out for the track team multiple times before his senior year, but did not stick with the program for an entire season. His success Saturday was key, Ammons said.
“That fueled (the title),” the coach noted.
Of course, the Royals received several other big performances, too. In all, Kent-Meridian will be sending seven boys to the state meet, most among the area schools. The top eight performers in each event earned a ticket to this weekend’s state meet, which will be held May 27-28 at Mount Tahoma High in Tacoma.
Kentwood, which took eighth with 33 points, was the next highest local finisher followed by Kentridge (12th with 26 points), Kentlake (18 with 15.5 points) and Tahoma (24th with four points). Kentridge will be sending six participants to state followed by Kentlake and Kentwood, both of which will be sending five. Tahoma, which will send one competitor, rounds out the list of those advancing.
Outside of Daigre and Kamara, Kentwood’s BJ Arceneaux was the only other local competitor to bring home a first-place medal. Arceneaux, who competed at Kent-Meridian a year ago, won the long jump with a mark of 22-4.25. Arceneaux, however, wasn’t done there. The multi-talented senior also earned state berths in the 100 (2nd, 10.95), 200 (2nd, 22.03) and with the 4 x 100 relay team.
With the district title now in hand, Kent-Meridian is now among the top contenders for a state crown.
“We walk in and we’ll definitely be contenders,” Ammons said. “We’re optimistic. Skyview is just as strong. Mead, Rogers (are also contenders) … it’s really kind of wide open. We’ll have a target on our backs.
“I think we’re ready.”
• OFF TO STATE: A look at the local boys who will be competing at state – Kent-Meridian: Brandon Harris, Derrick Daigre, Jarey Suiter, Abu Kamara, David Jones, Jordan Thompson Walker, Sam Hoard. Kentlake: Jacob Holman, Gabe Berkovich, Shad Hall, Tyler Jewitt, Alex Straus. Kentridge: Christopher Young, Kaid Tipton, Bralen Westendorf, Reggie Collins, Alex Horton, Joey Buslon. Kentwood: BJ Arceneaux, Danny Lunder, Tre Thomas, Matthew Scott, Ivan Semerenko. Tahoma: Denham Patricelli.
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