Key contributor

There’s no such thing as a one-man high school athletic team, especially in track and field, where numbers are crucial to success.

In recent years, however, Shadle Park boys coach Ivan Corley has developed a number of outstanding multievent athletes who have been key contributors in dual meets and in district, regional and state-level competition.

The latest of those is senior Mitch Kamstra, who during his four years as a Highlander has competed in the shot put, javelin, high jump, 4x100 relay, triple jump, discus and 100-meter dash. At least, those are the events he and Corley can remember.

“It’s a rarity here for a guy to be ready for varsity as a freshman,” said Corley, “but Mitch was an exception. Our program has high expectations, both physically and mentally, and we take what we have and compete hard.

“When Mitch came in, he knew he could sprint and jump, and I think it was curiosity that drew him to other events, especially some of the ones they don’t offer in middle school.”

Kamstra’s numbers so far this spring are impressive: first in the area in the high jump at 6 feet, 4 inches; second in the shot put and fourth in the javelin. His shot mark of 53-9 last weekend in the Pasco Invitational was a 2006 personal best by three feet and one inch off his seventh-place throw in last spring’s state 4A meet.

And that’s in an event he had to talk his way into as a freshman at Shadle.

“I remember after the first couple days of sprinting and jumping,” he said, “I sort of drifted over to the shot area. They weren’t going to let me throw because I didn’t look like a shot-putter, but I got one throw and it was the longest of the day.

“At first, the guys thought I threw a girl’s shot, but I ended up as the No. 2 thrower on the team that year.”

Kamstra’s events vary from meet to meet, depending upon that week’s matchup. He usually spends at least two practice days before a meet concentrating on the events he’ll enter.

“I enjoy doing multiple events,” he said. “I wouldn’t like doing just one. It’s hard practicing sometimes, but I get to compete with a bunch of different people. The shot’s probably my favorite event, because I sort of grew up with a lot of the guys throwing now in the Greater Spokane League.

Corley says that there’s no secret to Shadle’s recent success – his best athletes are his busiest ones.

“If you’re going to be a championship caliber team, your most talented kids have to do lots of events. We’ve had enough of those athletes recently around here that younger guys see the successes of the guys before them, and there’s kind of an exciting feeling there.”

It’s not surprising that Kamstra is Shadle’s captain, a role he takes seriously.

“I have to be around all the other events, keep the guys riled up and keep track of the score throughout the meet. I get along with everyone on the team, so I enjoy the responsibility.”

Kamstra played football all four years at Shadle and basketball through his sophomore season. He’s looking forward not only to a successful spring this year, but also to a college track career, where a guy like him has a chance to be a decathlete.

“Last week at Pasco,” he said, “some guy who said he was an ex-coach came up and asked me about that, and I’d definitely be interested.”

Kamstra credits his coach for much of his development.

“Coach Corley has been like a second father to me,” he said. “He’s always been there helping me out and is just a great guy.”