North Central won its third straight 3A State Championship just slipping ahead of West Seattle by two points (55 to 53.) Coach Kelly Walter from NC liked his chances of three-peating going into the State Meet. He was enthusiastic with their performances at Regionals the week before and the number of athletes that qualified for State. However, this victory wasn’t decided until the final few events. Coach Walter had mapped out all the different scenarios of the teams in play on a spreadsheet. This was to be a battle of West Seattle’s sprints vs. NC’s distance. He predicted that West Seattle would win, NC would take second, and Ranier Beach third with all teams scoring within a few points…but that’s why you play the game kids (or run the race, jump the jump in this case.) NC got come-through performances by Luke Evans and Bill Haven in the high jump with their second and seven places respectively, and Casey Adam’s third place in the 1600. Coach Walter said “Every point is crucial in a two-point victory but the high jumper's and Casey’s points were huge.”
NC’s Ben Johnston led NC’s distance crew with two victories, one on Thursday in the 3200 and the other in the 1600 on Saturday. Johnston took over the lead after being boxed-in on a slow first lap and was quickly followed by Seattle Prep’s Drew O'Donoghue-McDonald and NC teammate Casey Adams. Johnston and McDonald pulled away leaving Adams in no-man’s land. Johnston edged ahead of McDonald in the final straight-away for the win in 4:12.96 (the final 1200 in 3:06) and McDonald in 4:13.80. Adams ended up in a sprinting dual with Columbia River’s Kyle Boe and just out leaned him for third place (4:18.55.)
NC's 800 runners Alex Avila and JT Mellgren picked up third and fourth place giving their distance squad 37 points. Evans also place second in the Javelin with a 178-4.
West Seattle sprinters scored all of the Wildcats's 53 points with Markeem Adams getting the win in the 100m and second in the 200m where teammate Montez McGee placed seventh. Earlier in the day McGee had a great day in the hurdles winning the 110 highs, and finishing second in the 300s. The relay team of Darvelle Lee, Montez McGee, Joe Bell Austin, and Markeem Adams won the 4x100.