By MIKE BALDWIN
For the Reporter
Kentlake High’s Zach Smith entered last weekend’s Class 4A state track and field meet at Mount Tahoma High with lofty goals.
Despite capturing a gold medal, the meet proved a bit bittersweet for Smith.
The Kentlake senior delivered big on Friday in the triple jump, uncorking a mark of 48 feet, 1 inch in the triple jump and thus securing his first gold medal of the meet, and second in two years.
Saturday, however, brought different results for Smith. The University of New Mexico-bound Smith opened the day by taking eighth in the 100-meter dash, stopping the clock in 11.26 seconds.
The disappointing finish didn’t faze Smith on his way to the final event of his high school career, the long jump, which he won gold in last year.
Smith and Mount Tahoma’s Julian Bardwell were the favorites to take home the gold. The meet, however, proved to be full of surprises.
Instead of Smith or Bardwell dominating the field, Puyallup senior Justin Veltung came out of nowhere to snag the gold medal, popping off a jump of 24 feet, 5 inches.
Smith led the event until Bardwell uncorked his big leap. The Kentlake star made two strong attempts to catch Veltung, but it was to no avail.
“I’m pretty mad,” Smith said. “I wanted to defend my title. Since I won the triple jump, I wanted to come out here and get a second (title).”
Following his triple jump victory Friday, Smith suffered an ankle injury that may have hindered his chances in claiming a second-consecutive long jump title on the following day. Smith nursed his injury until Saturday’s events, but his performance failed in repeating earlier victories.
“(The ankle) just never got back to where I could plant off of it,” Smith said. “My first three jumps, I was jumping with the tape on. Then I ripped it off.”
Smith noted that his body may have been protecting itself when he came off the board in the long jump with excessive pressure off his toe. Despite taking one gold medal, the KL senior walked away wanting more.
“I would say I’m more disappointed than happy right now,” he said.
ALSO: Smith was KL’s lone representative on the boys side. Brianne Gould was KL’s lone female representative. She took 14th in the pole vault with a mark of 9-6.
Mike Baldwin can be reached at ewalker@kentreporter.com
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