Kimbro, Massalay win two 4A state track championships

TACOMA — Moses Lake senior Heather Carbon thrives in the competitive atmosphere and even though the weather was a bit on the cool side and the wind was gusting right to left, she knew she had one more great day in her.

She stood at the top of the runway concentrating on her technique, telling herself this was a lefties’ wind and took off down the runway at top speed. Carbon, who’s headed to the University of Idaho next fall to dive on the swim team, planted her pole and smoothly cleared 11-feet-3 inches Saturday at the 4A state track and field championships at Mt. Tahoma Stadium.

Caleigh Lofstead of Camas was clearly the class of the field and eventually won the girls 4A state title with a vault of 12-3. But Carbon was in the thick of things. She cleared 11-3 and finished her high school track and field career taking a shot at 11-9 for a new personal best. She didn’t make it, but it was a good day to go upside down she said with a smile.

“When I cleared 10-9 I felt like everything started to click. Knowing that I made that height easily, I knew I could do this,” said Carbon, who went into the meet ranked No. 2 among 4A vaulters. “I love everything about track. It’s so different being surrounded by people that can push you and support you. The other athletes keep you going higher and higher. The audience keeps your energy up. It’s amazing to have so many different friends from around the state that do it. It’s been an amazing four years.”

Where it has been an amazing four years for Carbon, to West African foreign-exchange student Abraham Massalay it’s been a phenomenal year. On a day where Americans were celebrating the Memorial Day Weekend, the 19-year-old from the Republic of Liberia, West Africa who has been in a wheelchair since he was five, celebrated life.

He won 4A state wheelchair titles in the 1,600 meters (4:22.08) and the 100 (17.07). He and fellow Moses Lake wheelchair competitor Spencer Kimbro put on a showcase in the 400 meters, both coming in under the existing state record of 57.89 set by Austin Pruitt, Central Valley, in 2012. Kimbro established the new state record, winning in 55.79. Massalay was second in 56.92.

“This is my first year of racing and to be able to come here and experience something like this is an amazing experience,” said Massalay, looking up into a capacity audience in the grandstands. “The guys I’m racing against here have been racing for nine-10 years, but I’m beating them right now. To be able to break the record in the 400 with Spencer was great. “This is better than cool.” Massalay’s efforts did not go unnoticed among his teammates.

“I am very proud of Abraham. He has never done track in his life until he came here,” Carbon said. “He’s been out every day in practice, getting stronger and stronger. I’ve been so happy to come here and witness his success. To come from such a humble background and not even have a race chair until this year and come here and win not one, but two state titles is incredible. Both he and Spencer are an inspiration to us all.”

Moses Lake had state champions with Kimbro and Massalay. Carbon brought home a third-place medal in the pole vault. Chiefs thrower Jacob Duvall placed eighth in the discus (147-feet-2) and ninth in the shot put (48-9 ¾).

Elly Johnson finished second in the discus with a mark of 127-03. Saturday’s weather was not conducive to running for time with the wind pushing in from the grandstand side. Ephrata’s Ethan Green made his way through a quality 2A 3,200-meter field to finish third with a time of 9:27.86.

The Tiger junior doesn’t have the kick to come from way back or the stamina to blow out hard and hold on. But he has race sense and when Liberty-Issaquah senior Andrew Cooper and Colton Johnsen of Sehome broke away, Green went with them and completed his top-three finish on a day where wind dictated pace. Cooper won in 9:24.57 and Johnsen was second in 9:25.65.

“I came here looking to finish in the top five and ended up finishing third,” said Green, who established the new Ephrata school record in the 3,200 earlier this year. “It was slower paced than I thought it would be. I was shooting for a 9:20 pace, but no one wanted to push pace today. But I’m happy with my place. All the hard work paid off.” Quincy thrower Albert Tafoya placed fourth in the 2A discus with a mark of 147-0. He was also 13th in the shot put at 44-7 ½. Ephrata’s Anthony Evans placed sixth in the 400 meters in 50.76. Ephrata’s Madison Youngers placed 12th in the girls triple jump with a mark of 33-8 ½.

For complete results, go to http://www.wiaa.com/results/track/2016/2A3A4A/