High-flying Prairie hurdlers Zalk and Phillips seek state titles

“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.”

• 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).

• 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.