“I’m hoping to win the title this year,” he said. “It would definitely cap off the season and be a good way to end my high school career.”
King has been throwing since the seventh grade. His father, Chris, connected him with Olympic Gold Medalist Mac Wilkins, who then coached at Concordia. King immediately fell in love with the discus and shot put.
“It’s all on me, and I really like that,” he said.
King started competing in USA Track and Field national age-group meets, often placing in the top three. His family bought an RV, which they took to events in Florida, Texas and other far-flung locations.
He now trains year-round with two-time Olympian Jarred Rome at Concordia. Between training and video studies, King estimates he spends about 1,000 hours a year dedicated to throwing.
“Flexibility is probably the biggest part of it,” King said. “A lot of big guys who are really strong don’t have a lot of flexibility. You can’t do anything if you can’t move.”
King recently signed a letter of intent to throw for Colorado State University. But before he heads to the Rockies, there’s one final peak he’d like to reach at the state meet.
Local boys to watch at state track and field meet
Class 4A
Trevor Bushman, Union – The bi-district pole vault champion, he is one of just six 4A athletes to have cleared 14-7 this season.
Jilven Refil, Union – Despite competing in just four meets, he owns the fastest times in the 100 meters (10.69) and 200 meters (21.88) among 4A athletes.
Adam Ryan, Camas – Has run the third-fastest 800 meters (1:53.23) and seventh-fastest 400 meters among 4A athletes. Won district titles in both events despite finals being just 30 minutes apart.
Mason Scheidel, Skyview – His 800 meter time of 1:53.31 at the district meet ranks fourth among 4A athletes this season.
Curtis Stradley, Battle Ground – Won the bi-district javelin title with a mark of 183-7, the sixth-best among 4A athletes. The junior has set personal-bests in back-to-back meets.
Class 3A
Michael Schmidt, Prairie – At the bi-district meet, the senior broke 40 seconds in the 300 hurdles for the first time. His time of 39.65 ranks sixth-best in Class 3A.
David Tran, Prairie – Won the long jump at the bi-district meet with a leap of 21-11.5, the eighth best in Class 3A this season.
Class 2A
Joshua Bischoff, Washougal – The runner up at last year’s state meet in the discus, his throw of 161-5 at the sub-district meet is second-best in 2A this season. Also has the fifth-best shot put mark of 50-3.5.
Jacob Davis, Woodland – The junior won the 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles district titles in personal-best times. He ranks sixth in the 110 hurdles and fourth in the 300 hurdles among 2A athletes.
Kedrick Johnson, Hockinson – Ranks first in the long jump (23-3) and third in the triple jump (44-0.75) among 2A athletes. Also the district runner-up in the 100 meters.
Aubrey Kraft, Washougal –His shot put mark of 51-8 in the Spudder Classic on May 6 is the best among 2A athletes.
Class 1A
Jeremy Scott, La Center – The district champion in both hurdles events, his 110 hurdles time of 15.65 ranks No. 5 among athletes in Spokane for the 1A state meet.
