Buckner spears javelin crown

TACOMA – Colville senior Joellee Buckner had never thrown a javelin until this year.

She set a modest goal coming into the season.

“I just wanted to throw it over 100 feet,” Buckner said.

Buckner did that and much, much more. She exceeded her previous best Friday by 6 feet, 7 inches to win the State 2A championship with a throw of 137-11 during the second day of Star Track XXXI at Mt. Tahoma High School.

Buckner had no idea how she would fare this season. But after playing softball for two years and fiddling around with the jumps in track last year, she succumbed to her father’s request to try the javelin. Her dad is Colville’s javelin coach.

“I’m stunned. I don’t know what to say. I’m still in shock,” said Buckner, who is headed to Western Washington University next year to play volleyball.

Buckner’s winning throw came on her second attempt in the finals. Her first attempt (134-0) also exceeded her personal best.

Cheney junior Chae Brown took second in the triple jump with a vault of 35-10.

Pullman freshman Angel Nkwonta took second in the shot put with a throw of 40-11. East Valley senior Darbi Dobson took third (38-11).

Other area 2A athletes earning medals were: Erin Clark of Cheney fifth (11-6) in the pole vault and Carrie Jacka of Deer Park sixth (10-6); Brittany Dugger of EV fourth (15.72) in the 100 hurdles; Kinsey Pease of Cheney sixth in the javelin (117-5); and Tora Luu of Colville eighth (5-0) in the high jump.

4A:The record-breaking streak stopped for Courtney Hutchinson. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t a good day for the Mead senior thrower.

Hutchinson had a typically consistent effort in the 4A shot put, repeating as state champion with a throw of 46 feet, 8¼ inches to earn her third state title in four years. She placed second as a sophomore.

Consistency marked Hutchinson’s day. She threw 46-0 on her first throw in the prelims, followed by what would be the winning toss and 45-8¼ on her third.

“I was expecting to hit a big one today, but the consistency is all that matters,” said Hutchinson, who is headed to Iowa State University next year. “I don’t want to hit a huge one and not be able to hit it again. I’m happy with how I did.”

Defending the title had significant meaning to Hutchinson.

“Most people aren’t able to go back to back or win as many times as I have,” she said.

The only other 4A medal winner was Mariah Cunningham of Central Valley, who took fourth (17-10¼) in the long jump.