Viking Pops A Winning Put Babcock Sets School Record To Earn A-1 Gold

At the start of the season, a state championship was secondary to Brian Babcock. He wanted to break Coeur d’Alene High’s 17-year-old shot put record.

Babcock, a junior, doubled his pleasure Friday, winning the State A-1 title with a school-record toss of 58 feet, 11 inches on the first day of the 83rd annual high school track and field championships at Boise State University’s Bronco Stadium.

His throw broke by a foot the school mark set by Mike Cox in 1983.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” said Babcock, who at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds could be swallowed up by Cox’s shadow.

If one goes by physical appearance, it appears Babcock doesn’t belong with the weight throwers. He’s not the typical 6-foot-2, 240-pounder.

In fact, Babcock looks like he should be shagging the 12-pound ball instead of throwing it.

But in Babcock’s case, size is deceptive. He combines speed through his spin with a smooth release and solid technique.

Babcock led after the preliminary flights at 55-5 before eclipsing his previous best (56-6) on his first throw in the finals.

He got off to a slow start this season. He broke his non-throwing left hand in a cheerleading accident and wore a cast.

Babcock made up for lost time in a hurry, though.

“I thought it was maybe 57 (feet) because of the way I threw it,” Babcock said of his record toss. “It felt like my fingers didn’t get a good push. Apparently it was in the right spot when I let it go.”

Babcock’s personal best last year was 52-9 when he took sixth at state.

“At the start of the year, I wanted to go first or second (at state),” Babcock said. “As the season went by, it became a reality.”

He said the key to his improvement this year has been technique. He wants to repeat next year and throw in the 65-68-foot range.

Vikings teammate Janee Andre hoped to repeat in the long jump, but had to settle for second. She finished second as a sopho more before winning state last year.

Andre jumped 17-2-3/4, finishing runner-up to Timberline’s Tara Schwager (17-9-3/4).

“I was really ready; I was really psyched up,” Andre said. “(I’m) pretty frustrated. I feel great that I got second. If it had been a better jump, I’d be happy.”

Andre thought she’d break the 18-foot mark, but never came close to the 17-11 she leaped as a sophomore.

She called this her most enjoyable year. Last year she went to state hoping to win because she didn’t spend a lot of time building a strong physical foundation. This year she dedicated more time to jumping and came expecting to do well.

“I had the hops, but just no speed,” said Andre, Coeur d’Alene’s all-time career scoring leader in soccer, who has signed to play at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Babcock’s teammate, Brandon Harrison, wasn’t as fortunate Friday. Babcock was hoping they’d sweep the throws.

But for Harrison, the season has been a pattern of blossom or bust. Friday, he busted after going to state with the best qualifying mark statewide. Harrison placed fourth with a throw of 159-1.

Defending girls pole vault champion Carly Smith of Lake City no-heighted on three attempts at 9-6. She apparently had been fighting a viral infection.

Other medal winners Friday: Travis Newby of CdA took fourth in the 3,200 (9:47.47); Dan Agte of Post Falls finished sixth in the shot (49-8-1/2); Steve Ward of Post Falls placed sixth in the triple jump (42-3); Patricia Thom of Sandpoint took third in the pole vault (9-9); Cody Shirley of CdA tied for fourth in the pole vault (13-6) and Sandpoint’s Randy Dosher finished sixth (13-6).

Highland’s boys were leading with 49 points after eight events. Eagle was next at 42.5 and CdA third with 24.

Timberline’s girls held a slim lead after five events with 25 points. Jerome was next at 24 and Highland and Minico were tied at third with 18.