2A TRACK: Third time is a breeze for Porter

TACOMA — Shannon Porter felt slightly embarrassed Thursday by her third consecutive Class 2A state championship in the 3,200 meters.

"It's great that I got my third title," the Hockinson senior said after her victory at Mount Tahoma High School. "But it's hard to run by yourself. Even if I got second, I would have been happy with a PR (personal record)."

Instead, Porter settled for a mark of 11:12.41 and a 10-second victory over a field that was depleted by injuries to several top competitors. That was about 28 seconds off Porter's best time, but it was enough to have her far in front of the field.

"I think subconsciously you slack off," Porter said. "My parents have tried to motivate me, saying, 'Picture a runner in front of you.' "

That can be difficult for Porter, who is headed to Boise State next year and hasn't lost a 3,200 race against Class 2A competition since finishing second at state as a freshman.

Jadyn Gourley, a freshman from Hockinson, finished fifth Thursday with a time of 11:27.61, winning a spirited sprint down the stretch with Torin Shriver of Centralia.

But the front of the pack belonged to Porter, who last year won the 3,200 and finished second in the 1,600. This year's 1,600 will be run on Saturday.

"I know it's going to be more intense than my two-mile," Porter said. "It's going to be a race."

In other action during the first day of the Class 2A meet:

— Washougal's Jordin Seekins came into the girls javelin with the No. 2 seed and hopes of winning a state title. Those hopes quickly dissipated.

"After I saw Kirkwood throw, I said, 'I'm going to go for second,'" Seekins said after a third-place finish.

Christine Kirkwood, a sophomore from Othello, dominated the competition, although her winning mark of 151 feet, 10 inches, was well off the state record held by her sister, Courtney.

"She's definitely talented; very talented," Seekins said of Christine Kirkwood.

Seekins was in fourth place entering the final round before uncorking a throw of 140-10 — 1 inch off her PR.

"I really put down a big effort," she said. "I was in the mindset, 'Well, I've got to do it.' "

— Woodland's Jordan Shaw finished fourth in the long jump with a mark of 21-5 1/2. Ben Ternan of Chehalis won the event with a jump of 23 feet.

— Austin Pfeifer of Washougal qualified for the finals in the boys 110-meter hurdles. Shelby Williams of Ridgefield advanced in the girls 100 hurdles.

— Hockinson advanced to the finals in the girls 1,600 relay.