TACOMA — Connor Jensen got his wish.
His wish to be a state champion. His wish to beat one of his long-time competitive rivals on the biggest stage. His wish to pop a big-time throw when it mattered most.
They all happened at once.
What better way to conclude your career than the way Jensen, a Skyview High School senior, did Friday at the Class 4A boys discus competition, where the senior dethroned three-time defending champion Nolan Van Amen of South Kitsap with one throw remaining to capture his first state title.
His winning throw of 183 feet, 7 inches — a personal-best by 13 feet — on his sixth attempt was a big follow-up to his go-ahead mark of 172-10 to bypass by Van Amen, who led the competition from the start.
“I am so happy,” the elated Jensen said. “This feels so freakin’ good.”
Funnily enough, that one throw to overtake the bypass Van Amen might not have happened if it hadn’t been for Van Amen in the first place.
Jensen was on the verge of not making the finals.
He foot-fouled his first two preliminary throws of Friday’s competition. Needing a legal mark and far enough to one of nine throwers to advance, Jensen made a risk.
A standing safety throw or risk it with a full spin?
He turned to Van Amen, seeking to become the state’s first four-time state champion in the discus, for advice.
“He’s been through a lot,” Jensen said. “I knew he wouldn’t do me wrong.”
Jensen stayed with a full spin, and his 165-8 pushed him through to the finals. He took the lead from Van Amen with a-then PR 172-10.
But the 183-8 on his final attempt was something special, he said.
Afterward, the two embraced. Their competition days go back to middle school, facing off in US National Junior Olympic meets. Before Saturday’s discus competition, Van Amen beat Jensen for the 4A shot put title Thursday.
Now, put one in the win column for Jensen.
“I’ve dreamt about beating him at state for so long,” he said. “It’s been one of my goals — one of my all-time goals.”
SECOND A FIRST FOR TONDER, DAVIS
By the time Ethan Tonder got on the award podium to earn his second-place medal in the 3A boys shot put, he already chugged down four chocolate milks.
A four-time state competitor in the shot, the runner-up finish Friday was the Mountain View senior’s best in his four-year career. A month ago, however, a state trip might’ve been wishful thinking.
That’s because a flexor tendon injury on his throwing hand in late March forced him to sit out nearly a month. He returned just in time for the 3A GSHL district meet, and last week at bi-districts he uncorked a lifetime best throw he never saw coming.
“I was hoping to reach state,” he said, “and have a nice throw. Then go to state, and have a nice throw there, too.”
While it wasn’t a personal-best, his series-best 58-10 ¼ was consistent to what he’s been throwing. He was second to Mt. Spokane’s Dillon Lionello (59-11 ¼).
For Woodland’s Jacob Davis, his strategy to conserve energy during the 300 hurdle prelims Friday for his specialty — the 110 hurdles — for the final later in the day paid off. The senior lowered his school-record time to 14.70 and placed second behind River Ridge’s Josh Braverman (14.07).
While he was aiming for the 14.6s, he said he couldn’t argue with his final time.
“I felt really good about this,” said Davis, who also will run in Saturday’s 300 hurdle final.
And you can bet he’s going all out for his final high-school race Saturday, he said. “This is my last meet,” he said. “I’m giving everything in the tank.”
AROUND THE TRACK: Mountain View’s Garrett Davis jumped a personal-best 6 feet 6 to finished tied for third. Shadle Park’s Jakobe Ford won in a 3A meet-record. Proving to be a notable field-event day for Clark County athletes.7-2 ½. … Fresh off his 1,600-meter state title, Camas’ Daniel Maton had the top preliminary time in the 4A boys 800 (1:56.18). Teammate Cade Greseth, who ran 1:58.38, also made the finals.
