Watson, Johnson nab state medals

BOISE — Sophomore Freedom Watson finished second in the shot put, and Christina Johnson third in the discus to lead the Sandpoint track team on the opening day of the 2009 4A Idaho State Track and Field Championships in Boise.

Watson threw 49-0 feet, leading the entire way up until the final heave, when Billy Derome of Mountain home uncorked a toss of 50-6 to win. Johnson was very consistent, topping out at 113-5, as the competition was essentially for second after a Skyview girl launched a mammoth early throw of 141-0.

“This is Christina’s third year at state,” said Bulldog throwing coach Tom Albertson, noting her steady improvement. “As a freshman she was really nervous. As a sophomore she finished eighth and this year she grabbed third.”

Junior Susan Kovalchuk pole vaulted 9-6 to finish sixth, despite claiming the same height as the fourth and fifth places, but in more attempts. Britt May finished 12th in the shot put with a toss of 29-0 to round out the girls places.

Mike Hubbard finished ninth in the high jump, clearing 5-10, Cody Hecker finished 10th in the shot with a put of 43-7, Watson finished 13th in the discus with a throw of 124-0, Corey Hoffman finished 15th in the triple jump with a 38-10 and Danny Pfeifer finished 15th in the 3,200, clocking 10:57.

Other local results include Clark Fork’s Mackenzie Quiroz high jumping 4-8 to finish sixth in the 1A ranks, Priest River’s Ned Florea throwing 135-4 in the discus to finish fourth in the 3A ranks, and the Spartans Taylor Stewart putting the shot 34-3 to finish fifth.

The 4A meet concludes today with most of the running races and the rest of the field events.

2009 Idaho State Track & Field Championships

Boise State University - Boise, Idaho

Girls High Jump 4A

1, Shalyse Olsen, Rigby, 5-00. 2, Chelsea Hepworth, Minico, J5-00. 3, Courtney Walker, Rigby, J5-00.

Girls Pole Vault 4A

1, Amber Thompson, Rigby, 11-00. 2, Jill Rausch, Skyview, 10-00. 3, Kylee Davies, Rigby, J10-00. 4, Danielle Rausch, Skyview, 9-06. 5, Carrie Thibault, Jerome, J9-06. 6, Susan Kovalchuk, Sandpoint, J9-06.

Girls Triple Jump 4A

1, Jasmyn Jewett, Mtn Home, 37-00.50. 2, Jordan Cornelison, Rigby, 36-01.25. 3, Shalyse Olsen, Rigby, 35-08.50.

Girls Shot Put 4A

1, Nikki Rudder, Skyview, 42-00. 2, Carly Dranginis, Skyview, 39-00.50. 3, Tasha Powell, Pocatello, 36-09.50. 12, Brittanie May, Sandpoint, 29-00.50.

Girls Discus Throw 4A

1, Nikki Rudder, Skyview, 141-00. 2, Margaret Behre, Moscow, 117-05. 3, Christina Johnson, Sandpoint, 113-08.

Boys High Jump 4A

1, Justin Lucas, Pocatello, 6-04%. 2, Austin Black, Lakeland, J6-04. 3, Logan Standley, Century, 6-02. 9, Mike Hubbard, Sandpoint, J5-10.

Boys Pole Vault 4A

1, Charlie Kido, Skyview, 14-00. 2, Curtis Peterson, Rigby, 13-06. 3, Dale McLaughlin, Wood River, 13-00.

Boys Triple Jump 4A

1, Coltin Johnson, Minico, 42-10.75. 2, Griffin Morris, Bishop Kelly, 42-09.75. 3, Zach Ingraham, Jerome, 42-05.25.15, Corey Hoffman, Sandpoint, 38-10.

Boys Shot Put 4A

1, Billy Derome, Mtn Home, 50-05. 2, Freedom Watson, Sandpoint, 49-00. 3, Justin Franz, Rigby, 47-07. 10, Cody Hecker, Sandpoint, 43-07.

Boys Discus Throw 4A

1, Brian Wickham, Jerome, 160-00. 2, Billy Derome, Mtn Home, 153-03. 3, Cory Harvey, Middleton, 150-04. 13, Freedom Watson, Sandpoint, 124-00.