By MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN
P-I REPORTER
Korion Morris
Renton, senior
# WHAT HE DID: Morris capped an undefeated season in the discus with the 3A state title, and was runner-up at the state shot put competition. He led the state this season with a discus toss of 191-6 and had the second-best shot put at 61-11. Morris also won the Outstanding Senior Athlete award at Renton.
# HOW HE DID IT: A natural competitor, Morris credits his throws coach at Renton, Keith Eager, for helping him develop as an athlete. \"I\'m extremely goal-oriented and driven,\" he said. \"I have a lot of aspirations that drive me to work hard, including the Olympics.\"
# WHAT HE\'LL DO NEXT: Morris will compete in the Junior National Championships in Indianapolis later this month and the Junior Olympics in Baltimore in July. He\'ll be competing for the University of Arizona next fall.
Ryan Vu
Interlake, senior
# WHAT HE DID: Vu won the 3A state pole vault title in dramatic fashion, capturing the event with a personal- and 2006 state-best mark of 16-1, despite suffering a pulled hamstring at the first meet of the season. Vu also ran an 11.0 100 meters this season.
# HOW HE DID IT: As an underclassman at Interlake, Vu watched the seniors and was inspired by their hard work and commitment to the sport. He also credits working with three-time state pole vault champ Laura Schvaneveldt. \"Laura is an insane competitor,\" he said. \"I learned a lot from her.\"
advertising
# WHAT HE\'LL DO NEXT: Vu will continue to work out this summer and participate in several open meets. He\'ll attend the Washington next fall and compete with the Husky track team.
Joe Churchill
Auburn-Riverside, senior
# WHAT HE DID: A team captain for the Ravens, Churchill saved his season\'s best performance for the 4A state meet, winning the 1,600 in 4:15.15, the state\'s second-fastest clocking this season. He was 12th in the state 3,200 and competed at state in the 1,600, 3,200 and 4x400 relay as a junior.
# HOW HE DID IT: A natural runner, Churchill was successful through junior high without really training. \"When I got to high school, I quickly realized I had to change my work ethic,\" he said. \"Nobody just goes out and wins at this level without putting in the hard work.\"
# WHAT HE\'LL DO NEXT: Churchill plans on staying in shape throughout the summer, but will take a short break from running and enjoy time with his friends. He\'ll attend Lane Community College in Oregon and will run cross country and track.
Abdi Hassan
Junior,
Nathan Hale
# WHAT HE DID: In his first season running track, Hassan won the 3A state 1,600 and was undefeated in the event with a state-best time of 4:14.2. He recorded the second-fastest 3A 3,200 this year with a 9:16.55 and took third at state in the event.
# HOW HE DID IT: Hassan said he didn\'t do anything special this season, except work harder than he ever has as a runner. \"Our distance coach at Hale (Carry Stidham) stood beside me and believed in my ability,\" he said. \"That gave me plenty of inspiration and helped me grow as an athlete.\"
# WHAT HE\'LL DO NEXT: The workouts continue through the summer as Hassan plans to run 50 miles a week to prepare for cross country next fall. He\'s looking forward to the Hale cross-country camping trip this summer and defending his 1,600 title.
Joe Bywater
Sophomore, Lake Stevens
# WHAT HE DID: Bywater capped an amazing sophomore season with the 4A state 3,200 title, going undefeated in the event. As he won the Wesco, district and state titles, he set personal-best times that culminated with a 9:03.97 at Pasco, the second-fastest state time this season.
# HOW HE DID IT: Running is fun for Bywater as he enjoys setting goals and accomplishing them. \"I also got lucky when I got to Lake Stevens,\" Bywater said. \"I had no idea this team would be so supportive for each other. It makes it that much easier to keep working hard at practice.\"
# WHAT HE\'LL DO NEXT: Bywater plans to continue running throughout the summer. He\'ll attend the White Pass Cross Country camp with his Lake Stevens teammates and is looking forward to running cross country and track next season.
Jason Harris
Junior, Renton
# WHAT HE DID: Despite suffering a groin injury early in the season, Harris recovered in time to win the Seamount League and district title, and then won the 3A state title with a personal-best throw of 202-10, tying him for the longest throw in the state this season. Harris was the state 1A javelin champ last season while attending Rainier HS.
# HOW HE DID IT: A three-sport athlete, Harris is drawn to competition in almost any form. \"A lot of my success this year goes to my coaches and teammates for the support they\'ve given me,\" he said. \"When you have a teammate like Korion Morris, it raises the bar in practice and competition.\"
# WHAT HE\'LL DO NEXT: Harris hopes to compete with a summer track team and is considering competing at the Junior Olympics in July. He\'s looking forward to defending his state javelin title and hopes to break the state record.
Andrew Chapin
Senior, Redmond
# WHAT HE DID: A two-time league and district champ, Chapin saved his best triple jump performance for state with a 46-11, good enough to claim the 4A state title. He took third in the triple jump at the Pasco Invite and placed fifth at state as a junior.
# HOW HE DID IT: Even after missing four weeks of the season with a hamstring pull and another week with an ankle injury, Chapin managed to get healthy at the right time. \"I still think back to my sophomore year and the impression the coaches here made on me,\" he said. \"I\'m definitely glad I listened to them.\"
# WHAT HE\'LL DO NEXT: Chapin will work with kids at the local Skyhawk Summer Camps and plans on staying in shape throughout the summer. This fall he\'ll run track in the Ivy League for Brown University.
Trent Arrivey
Senior, Woodinville
# WHAT HE DID: Arrivey was the jumper to beat this season, recording the top mark in the state after clearing 7 feet. He finished this season with only one loss, won both the Pasco and Shoreline Invites and was the league, district and 4A state champ. Arrivey placed fifth in the high jump at state as a junior.
# HOW HE DID IT: He gives the most credit to his coach at Woodinville, Eric Green, who worked diligently with Arrivey on his technique. \"Eric is really devoted to the athletes and gives us a lot of confidence. My parents deserve credit for supporting me in everything I\'ve chosen to do.\"
# WHAT HE\'LL DO NEXT: Staying in shape is a the goal this summer with possibly an open meet or two on the agenda. Arrivey is looking forward to this fall when he\'ll begin competing with the Washington State track team.
Jeremy Taiwo
Sophomore,
Newport
# WHAT HE DID: Taiwo competed in the high jump and triple jump and had only one loss all season in each event. A two-time team MVP, he won the 3A state titles in both events with a 46-11 3/4 triple jump, the second-longest jump in the state this year, and a 6-6 high jump. Taiwo owns the state all-time sophomore triple jump mark with a 48-3 1/2.
# HOW HE DID IT: Much credit goes to his father, Joseph Taiwo, a two-time Olympian in the triple jump. \"My dad is a big inspiration,\" Jeremy said. \"He\'s always very positive and supportive. My coaches at Newport are great, and it\'s safe to say I feed off the competition.\"
# WHAT HE\'LL DO NEXT: Taiwo hopes to run with a summer track team and will also play some summer basketball. He\'ll be traveling to London for a month with his family and has hopes of pursuing the all-time state marks in both of his events.
Luke Lemenager
Senior, Tahoma
# WHAT HE DID: A notorious competitor, Lemenager was ranked No. 3 in the nation in the 800 meters and finished the season undefeated in the event. He won the 4A state title with a 1:54.55, and his time this season of 1:51.3 puts him in the top 10 in state history.
# HOW HE DID IT: When Lemenager qualified for state as a junior, he said that was the point in his career that he began to believe in his abilities and potential. \"I worked on my strength all winter and it paid off,\" Lemenager said. \"I also have some great teammates that helped keep me focused this season.\"
# WHAT HE\'LL DO NEXT: Lemenager won\'t take a break from running throughout the summer. He hopes to spend some time with his friends before it\'s time to move on next fall and begin competing with the Washington State track team.
HONORABLE MENTION
Derek Clemmons, Shorecrest, senior; Stephone Jordan, Garfield, sophomore; Brandon Graef, Skyline, senior; Matt Frerker, Skyline, junior; Michael Chinchar, Kentwood, junior. Josh Winters, Bothell, senior; Zeke Hill, Curtis, senior; J.J. Jackson, Sumner, senior; Jeff Helmer, Everett, senior; Victor Marshall, Juanita, senior