University of Washington.<\/a> \u201cMy goal that day was to qualify for the finals no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\nDaigre qualified, but was a shell of himself once the final event rolled around. A lanky 6-foot-5 158-pounder who\u2019s all knees and elbows, the Kent-Meridian star had to shift down a gear for the championship event. Unable to compete in his usual style, Daigre succumbed to the shooting pain in his hamstrings, which resulted in an eighth-place finish with a time of 2:01.87.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
For Daigre, injury or no injury, the performance was unacceptable.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Now healthy, the senior has designs of finishing his prep career a bit differently this spring.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was extremely frustrating to work all season (last year) and at the final race to let it all go,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Yet, the injury that essentially stole Daigre\u2019s opportunity to repeat as the state champion in the 800, an event he won as a sophomore with a time of 1:52.57, is now fueling his motivation for his senior season.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year, I want to show everyone that I am still me,\u201d he said. \u201cI am still fast. I don\u2019t want people to have doubts.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard to doubt a kid like Daigre, whose aerodynamic frame gives the impression that he was born to run. In 2009, he became Kent-Meridian\u2019s first state champion in any sport since 2006 by winning the 800-meter dash. His time of 1:52.57 not only earned him the top spot on the podium, but also was a personal record.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Shortly after the performance, the UW-bound senior nearly duplicated the feat in the 400, taking second with a time of 49.05.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
This spring, Daigre wants it all back.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
And then some.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to set a state record (in the 800),\u201d he said. \u201cI want to run at least a 1:49 or 1:48 in the 800 and I want to run a high 47 in the 400.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Kent-Meridian coach Ernie Ammons believes Daigre can get it done, too.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The sixth-year coach has been along for the ride with Daigre. He has watched his pupil grow from a relatively quiet runner three years ago to a captain and team leader this spring. Add it up, and Daigre has all the components to not just win another state title, but do so in extraordinary fashion.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s made the transition for Derrick is his self confidence. He believes in himself,\u201d Ammons said. \u201cHe knows that when he steps to the line, he\u2019s going to win. You don\u2019t see a lot of kids at his level like that. To have that self confidence … he\u2019s not afraid of anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Along the way, Daigre has turned others into believers as well.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWow! He\u2019s jut an amazing talent,\u201d said Kentwood coach Steve Roche. \u201cYou don\u2019t see kids of his size that often. The guy can wheel.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Kentlake coach Jim Hewson agrees.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cAmazing. He\u2019s just amazing,\u201d Hewson said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Amazing enough that the Royals will lean on their lean sprinting machine in their quest for repeating as league champions. Last spring, Kent-Meridian captured its first SPSL North title on the oval since 2001. With a healthy Daigre in fold, the Royals are pegged as the preseason favorites to do it all again. And for good reason. Because behind Daigre, Kent-Meridian returns a bevy of talent, including David Jones (sprints), Abu Kamara (hurdles), Brandon Harris (long jump, high jump) and Jordan Thompson Walker (800).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
But it all starts with Daigre.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
And health pending, he\u2019s not about to be slowed down this spring.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u201cWith all the work I\u2019ve been doing, I want to end my high school career with a bang,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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