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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Prep track notes: Justin Janke breaks school record

North Central High School’s Justin Janke, in a battle with Umatilla’s Fabian Cardenas in the mile at the Pasco Invite on April 16, recently broke the school record in the 1,600 meters. (Sarah Gordon / Tri-City Herald)

When the calendar turns to May, high school track and field athletes traditionally start lowering their times/marks.

But as warm as the spring has been, a number of athletes have already been making strides.

Last week included a number of outstanding performances.

Justin Janke of North Central, for example, has positioned himself as the 3A state favorite in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. He was considered the favorite coming into the season based on his individual title in cross country last fall.

Janke broke the school record in the 1,600 last Friday at the Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays in Portland. It was a converted time from the mile. He finished third in a time of 4:07.28 but it was 4:05.85 when converted to a 1,600 time.

NC’s school record was 4:06.54, set by Ben Johnston.

It was an exceptional time in what turned out to be a special race. The winner, Michael Slagowski from Rocky Mountain near Boise, broke 4 minutes, finishing in 3:59.53. He became the ninth high school runner to break 4 minutes.

Two weeks ago in the elite mile at the Pasco Invite, the Penn State-bound Slagowski ran 4:05.

Janke’s time was the 12th fastest all time in Washington, reports NC coach Jon Knight. Knight had Janke at 2:04.5 for the first half of the race – the fastest first half Janke has ever run.

“Conclusion,” Knight said in a text Friday, “Michael Slagowski is really good!”

Janke went to the Shoreline Invitational on Saturday where he ran an all-time personal best in the 3,200, cracking 9 minutes (8:58.69).

Also at Shoreline, Jack Ammon of Northwest Christian ran 1:55.57 in the 800 and Isaac Barville of University won the 1,600 (4:15.38). Barville is the 4A state leader.

In Greater Spokane League duals last week, Noah Martin of U-Hi and Jakobe Ford of Shadle Park each jumped 7 feet, 1 inch in the high jump and are tied for the league record. Martin set the mark earlier in the season when he did 7-½.

Ford also vaulted a personal best 46-11 in the triple jump.

Nick Johnson of Gonzaga Prep lowered his personal best in the 110 hurdles by .5 when he ran 14.06 at Mead.

At the same dual, Kaleb Taylor of G-Prep did a personal best 15-0 in the pole vault. Also, Shamrock Campbell of Ferris jumped a personal best 44-3½ in the triple jump.

Emily Stiles of Mt. Spokane had an eight-foot improvement in the javelin (127-9).

At the Strandberg Invite, Brittany Aquino had a season best 5:04.99 in the 1,600 and Angel Nkwonta of Pullman had a personal best in the shot put (45-3).