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High-flying Prairie hurdlers Zalk and Phillips seek state titles

Phillips joins state champ Zalk to give Prairie 1-2 punch

By Micah Rice, Columbian Sports Editor
Published: May 27, 2014, 5:00pm

CLASS 4A, 3A, 2A

Thursday-Saturday, Mount Tahoma High School, Tacoma

CLASS 1B, 2B 1B

Friday-Saturday, Eastern Washington University, Cheney

Updates: Follow Micah Rice on Twitter @col_mrice.

Though he lined up beside seven other athletes each race, Peter Zalk was used to standing alone.

Nobody in Class 3A could keep up with Zalk in the 110 hurdles. He was the 2013 state champion in that event and the only 3A athlete to run under 15 seconds multiple times.

This season, that all changed. Suddenly Zalk had company.

But it wasn’t a far-off rival besting Zalk. His Prairie teammate and friend James Phillips ran a blistering 14.48 seconds at the John Ingram Twilight Meet in April. That ranks as the fastest time in 3A headed into the state meet, which takes place Thursday through Saturday in Tacoma.

Suddenly, Zalk wasn’t head and shoulders above the rest. And while the senior admits Phillips “got in my head” when he began running state-best times, Zalk hasn’t wilted. He owns the second-best time in 3A (14.69) and won at the bi-district meet last weekend in Sumner.

“Yes there’s a ton of competition, but it has never come between our friendship,” Zalk said.

Zalk and Phillips are cut from different pieces of athletic cloth. Zalk is a lithe track veteran who has spent nearly a decade honing the techniques of his events — he is also one of the state’s best pole vaulters.

Also a senior, Phillips stands 6-foot-4 with muscles that would be at home in a superhero comic. Also a tennis and basketball player, Phillips picked up track as a sophomore. Last season, he placed fifth in state in the 110 hurdles and third in the 300 hurdles, in which he also has the fastest 3A time this season.

Their different backgrounds complement each other.

Phillips credits Zalk with helping him become a true hurdler, not just an athlete who jumps over or through obstacles on the way to the finish line.

“He really came alongside me and helped me learn the hurdles and started to push me,” Phillips said of Zalk. “He’s a perfectionist in what he does. That’s your goal as an athlete, to get as close to perfect as you can.”

Practicing with another state-level hurdler has ensured Zalk’s focus stays sharp.

“A lot of kids, they’re the best in the district, but when they come up to state, they don’t know how to compete with kids right next to them,” Zalk said. “I’ve had that all year.”

Zalk and Phillips work primarily with Frank Schmidt, a Prairie assistant coach who feels like he has his own assistant coach when he’s working with the two.

“Usually, I’ll coach one and the other pick up on it as well,” Schmidt said. “They’re excellent at trying to perfect the form. They’re both awesome athletes, so it’s just a matter of trying to become as technically sound as possible.”

Local athletes to watch at state track and field

Girls

Alexa Efraimson, Camas — Plenty of attention will be on the junior one week after she ran the fastest outdoor 1,600 meters ever by a Washington high school girl (4:37.85). She’ll also be favored to repeat as state champion in the 800.

Caleigh Lofstead, Camas — The sophomore’s pole vault mark of 11-9 was the best in 4A statewide until last weekend. She placed sixth at state last year.

Guadalupe Mendoza, Heritage — The senior has a 4A state-best discus mark of 136-9. She won the bi-district title last week.

Jai’Lyn Merriweather, Evergreen — The freshman has the fastest 400 meters (55.90) in 4A and won the bi-district title last week.

Emily Morgan, Columbia River — The bi-district champ in the 100 and 200, the senior has the second-fastest 100 time in 3A (12.06).

Aubrey Ward-El, Skyview — The senior has the best javelin (153-8) and shot put (44-10) marks in 4A. She won both those events last week at bi-districts.

Boys

Jason Bracken, Prairie — The senior is one of the state’s most versatile athletes. In 3A, he’s ranked first in the high jump (6-6) and sixth in both the shot put (51-9) and discus (156-11).

Kyle Degraaff, La Center — A double district champ, the senior owns the fastest 1A times statewide in the 800 (1:57.30) and 1,600 (4:22.80).

CLASS 4A, 3A, 2A

Thursday-Saturday, Mount Tahoma High School, Tacoma

CLASS 1B, 2B 1B

Friday-Saturday, Eastern Washington University, Cheney

Updates: Follow Micah Rice on Twitter @col_mrice.

Marcus Gaylor, Columbia River — The senior has the third-fastest 3A times this season in the 100 (10.74) and 200 (21.86).

Bailey King, Union — The sophomore’s discus mark of 175-4 is the best in 4A this season. He also has the state’s fifth-best shot put mark (52-11).

Jack Klodt, Hockinson — The senior is tied for the best high jump mark in 2A statewide, having cleared 6-8.

Eli Whitmire, Woodland — At districts last week, the junior recorded the best long jump (22-1) and second-best triple jump (43-5) in 1A this season.

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