The Kentridge High School boys track and field team ended the season on a high note finishing fourth in the Class 4A state meet.
Kentridge was led by 6-foot-6 senior Alex Conner who was the anchor on the winning 4×100 meters relay race and also champion in the 300 hurdles in the meet May 25-27 at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma. Conner also took fifth in the 110 hurdles.
Conner didn’t have much time to train over the past month to work on his endurance because of a knee and a hip injury.
“I haven’t trained this past month… Standing on that podium is incredible, I have no words,” Conner said.
His 300 hurdles final heat race was highlight-reel material. He carried a slight lead into the final straight and gave it everything he had and included a tumble and photo finish at the line.
“I knew it was my last race. I had to give it all I got… I didn’t really focus on form on that last hurdle, I just had to get over it…It’s all God, it wasn’t me,” Conner said.
The Chargers got points in field events as well. Senior Jonah Tongco made the finals in the long jump on May 27 and scored three points.
Senior Dorian Thomas threw 52 feet, 2.5 inches for fourth place in the shot put. Jasper Estrellado placed in the triple jump for the second straight year placing behind the three-headed monster of Federal Way and 2022 champ Kade Smith of Chiauana.
If last year’s results held, Estrellado would have jumped to second place in the state. He beat his last year’s jump by 7 inches.
“I’m happy with today, 45 (feet) isn’t bad. I improved a little from last year, but I was expecting a little more,“ Estrellado said.
He was ready for his final jump, but just couldn’t put it together.
”I brought all the speed into the phases and just collapsed and landed on my face,” he said.
Berry Crosby was another point scorer for the Chargers. On top of being a leg in the winning 4×100 relay, Crosby made it to the finals in the 100 and took sixth place for three points.
Teagan Boots scored points in the 300 hurdles placing in sixth and he just narrowly missed the finals in the 110 hurdles placing ninth.
On the girls side, Kentridge had just a single point from junior Sydney Esperanza who came in eighth place in the 100 hurdles.
Kentwood senior Vai Green outscored the boys side all on her own. She scored eight points in the 100 hurdles finishing in second place and took fifth in the 300 hurdles. Jordan Ann was the lone boy to get points for the Conks finishing in seventh in the 300 hurdles.
Kent-Meridian had one point scorer for boys or girls. It was junior Nashayla Fellows in both the discus and shot put at the 3A division. Fellows placed sixth in shot put and seventh in the discus.
The final competitor to place out of a Kent high school was Kentlake senior Trevontay Richardson. He leaped 6-2 to tie for sixth in the high jump.
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Kentridge senior Alex Conner takes home the 4×100 meter crown. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Senior Alex Conner leaps over a hurdle on his way to first place. Ben Ray / The Reporter
