BF’s Poston ties state meet shot put record

BOISE – One state meet record. Or at least a share of a record. And one to go.

Katie Poston of Bonners Ferry tied a 12-year-old State 3A record in the shot put with a throw of 44 feet, 3¼ inches as the Badger easily defended her state title Thursday at Boise State University’s Bronco Stadium.

Poston wrote her name next to Heather Owen, a three-sport standout from Moscow. Owen set the record in 1993.

“I’m happy, but I’m kind of disappointed because I could have done better,” said Poston, whose goals in addition to defending her state titles in the throws coming to state were to shatter the state records.

Poston made a statement with her first throw of the day, putting the shot 43-1. As she released the throw, she grunted loudly. Her next throw went six inches further before she tied the record on her final attempt of the prelims.

After fouling on her first two throws of the finals, Poston again excited the crowd gathered near the ring when she unleashed a 44-2.

She thought she would exceed at least 44-6 Thursday. She’s looking forward to the discus today.

“I’m going to go in confident because I know I can throw it far,” Poston said.

In one other 3A field event, Lynsie Powers of Timberlake took fourth in the triple jump (34-9).

In the 1A meet, just two events were contested for the girls. And three-time defending state champ Kootenai got two wins.

Junior Darcy Collins captured her third state title in the high jump and ninth overall title in nine events.

Collins set a classification record, leaping 5-4¼ to break the previous mark of 5-4 set in 2001. She took three unsuccessful attempts at 5-6½ in hopes of extending her career best by a half inch.

“I’m really happy. I did a lot better than last year,” said Collins, who won the title last year with a modest 4-10.

Collins was more than content with getting the meet record.

“I was mentally out of it by then,” Collins said of her three attempts at 5-6½. “I really didn’t think I’d make it.”

Kootenai added six more team points in the high jump when Kendra Willms took third (4-10).

Collins will run qualifying prelims in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles and 200 today. Running finals for the 1A and 3A teams are Saturday with the balance of the field events and the 3,200 and medley relays today.

Kootenai junior Nikita Amy captured the state title in the discus, extending her personal best by nearly three feet with a throw of 122-7. She hopes to become a double winner today in the shot.

“I’ve put in so many hours of practice this year it’s just nice for it to pay off,” Amy said. “I’m expecting something big (in the shot). We needed the (team) points. I’m just glad I could bump it up a notch.”