State 2A track and field: Pullman’s Tyrus Thomas holds on to win 110-meter hurdles title

TACOMA – Tyrus Thomas stood atop the podium Friday at the State 2A track and field meet at Mount Tahoma High, his smile beaming toward the near-capacity grandstand.

The Pullman junior was moments removed from capturing his first state title in the 110 hurdles (14.909 seconds), edging Sequim’s Riley Martin (14.910) in a photo finish.

A year ago at the same venue, Thomas was devastated.

Thomas expected to medal after winning a 2018 district title, but he tripped on a hurdle in his state preliminary race and failed to qualify for the finals.

He felt like he disappointed his team, he said, and often thought about the mishap.

Thomas found redemption this time.

“This feels great,” Thomas said. “Especially with the way last year ended.

“Then to come out here, put up a better a time and be in a really competitive race – it was good.”

Thomas was the third Pullman boys athlete to win an individual state title this year, putting the Greyhounds in trophy contention heading into the meet’s final day Saturday. Eliasan Kabasenche (1,600) and Dylan Hodge (long jump) won state titles Thursday for Pullman, which leads the 2A field with 30 team points.

Pullman finished fourth last year behind behind Great Northern League rival and state champion Cheney.

Cheney senior Jacob McGourin, a football standout heading to Montana this fall, placed fourth in the discus (163 feet, 10 inches).