Kent-Meridian sprinter seeks fast finish before leaving for CWU

This fall, Kent-Meridian High senior Keeley Phommathirath will head to Central Washington University in Ellensburg as a two-sport athlete.

Kent-Meridian’s Keeley Phommathirath

Kent-Meridian’s Keeley Phommathirath

This fall, Kent-Meridian High senior Keeley Phommathirath will head to Central Washington University in Ellensburg as a two-sport athlete.

But for now, the soccer player and track and field competitor is focused on becoming a four-time placer at the Class 4A state track and field meet May 26-28 at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma.

Phommathirath made it to state on sprint relay teams her freshman and sophomore years. Last season, she placed fifth with the 4×100-meter relay team, took seventh in the high jump and competed in the 100.

This year, Phommathirath said she hopes to qualify for state again in the three events plus in the 4×200 relay.

Her favorite event is the 4×100 relay, which she anchors.

“I feel like there is less pressure on me because there are three other girls,” she said. “It is really competitive because you are going against the other girls. Being last leg, everyone is cheering for me and it is just really fun. It gives me more energy to run.”

Kent-Meridian is ranked fifth in the state for the 4×100 relay (49.1 seconds) and 10th in the 4×200 relay (1 minute, 45.4 seconds).

Phommathirath holds the school record of 12.55 seconds in the 100, which she set last season.

High jumping is a new endeavor for Phommathirath, who tried the event for the first time toward the end of last season.

“I was at spring break practice and saw everyone doing it and thought it would be fun to just go try it,” she said.

After picking it up quickly, Phommathirath competed in the event in a meet.

“I cleared 5 feet my first time,” she said. “I didn’t know if that was good or not.”

She reached her personal best of 5-2 in the 4A West Central District meet, taking first place, and again at state last year.

This season, Phommathirath has struggled in the high jump, clearing 5 feet just twice.

“I have been thinking too much about what I need to do right and not just doing what I’ve been doing and trying to fix all the little things,” she said. “I am slowly getting back into my old self in the high jump.”

Coach Michael Christiansen has enjoyed watching Phommathirath grow as an athlete.

“She was just this squirrelly kind of out-of-control freshman when she was here,” he said. “Now she is a team leader…. We will miss her when she is gone. I think she will do great at Central.”

Phommathirath earned track and field and soccer scholarships to CWU, where she plans to study elementary education. She knows balancing two sports and college classes will be a challenge.

“It is going to be a lot, I know, but I am ready for it,” she said.

Phommathirath, who played a variety of sports before deciding to focus on soccer and track, said it is hard to pick a favorite.

“There’s days I don’t good in track and I’m like ‘I wish I was playing soccer right now,’ and there’s days when I’m not doing good in soccer and I’m like ‘I wish I was in track right now,'” said the midfielder, who played four years of varsity soccer for the Royals. “It really just depends on how the day is going but lately I can’t decide. I am in love with both sports.”


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Dayna Vi (Jr.) wrestling and Brandon Tagle (Jr.) basketball take home this weeks awards.

Kentwood’s Jessica Ajayi dribbles the ball up the floor. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood girls basketball drops fourth straight

Team falls to Riverside for first time since 2017. Head Coach Jordan Nero: ‘We’ll find a way, we always do.’

t
Hundreds participate in Kent Christmas Rush run/walk

Seattle’s Nathan Morrisson wins 10K; Kent’s Travis Houser captures 5K

Graphic provided by KSD.
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Kentridge

Genesis Miller (Flag Football) and Gio Moimoi (Basketball) take home this weeks award.

Veronica Garcia gives an interview after winning the 2A girls 400-meter final at the 2024 Washington State Championships at Mt. Tahoma High School in Tacoma. (Screenshot from Runnerspace.com video)
Proposals seek new rules for transgender athletes in WA schools

Other proposals target student-athlete transfer rules and girls flag football.

Tyanna Sims drives to the basket against Auburn in the loss. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Trojans sweep aside Kentwood in doubleheader

Both boys and girls basketball teams lose to Auburn in NPSL opening play.

Kentridge girls soccer surprised the three signees at Kentridge. Photo provided by @ETDPI on Instagram.
National Signing Day for Kentridge | Photos

Four Chargers offically signed to play college sports.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athlete of the Week for Nov. 22: Kentwood

Nick Greutman (tennis) and Rowan Parsons (swim and dive) take home this weeks honors.

Kentridge senior Sierra Wallace dribbles the ball against Woodinville. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer falls 4-0 in state

Chargers make round of eight for second time ever and run into Woodinville buzzsaw.

Senior running back Antoine Lee avoids a Trojan defender early in the game against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
4A NPSL all-league football teams announced

Kentwood’s Antoine Lee named Offensive Player of the Year.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Addison Stendera and Riley Tricas take home this weeks awards.

Makenna Bennett in action against Tahoma back on Oct. 22 at Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer advances to state

Chargers make state for second consecutive year, take on Wenatchee.