Carson ignites Vikings

BOISE – Shae Carson’s final throw of the season is not one she is likely to forget.

Down to her last attempt in the 5A discus, the Coeur d’Alene junior unleashed a throw of 132 feet, 8 inches, winning the state title and setting a school record in the process.

The throw was a personal best and topped the rest of the field at Bronco Stadium by more than 6 feet.

“It was something I really wanted,” Carson said. “On that last throw, I just gave it everything I had and it worked out.”

Carson said she was a bit surprised when she saw her final mark and thrilled when she saw it hold up for the state title.

“I wasn’t expecting an awesome PR like that on my last throw,” Carson said. “But I was so happy I got it. It just felt great.”

Carson’s record toss was the highlight of the day, but she was not the only CdA thrower to make the podium. Senior Marissa Armour earned a third-place medal in shot put with a distance of 36-71/4.

“I was really pleased,” Armour said. “It feels nice to get on the podium. It’s been a goal for a while.”

Armour, who will compete in track and volleyball at Community Colleges of Spokane next school year, credited her teammates and coaches for a successful season.

“We have such a good throwing team,” she said. “We have awesome coaching at Coeur d’Alene and it really helped out this year.”

Behind Carson and Armour, the CdA girls racked up 22 points and were tied for third by the end of the day.

Other 5A Northern Idaho athletes who stood out included Molly Mitchell of Lake City, third in the 3,200; Cody Curtis of Coeur d’Alene, third in the 3,200; Post Falls’ Rebecca Bauman, fourth in discus; and Lake City throwers Jared Heston, third in shot put; and Nathan Hayden, sixth in shot put and discus.

CdA sophomore Kinsey Gomez, who placed second in the girls 3,200 meters last season, finished 10th this time.

•4A: Sandpoint’s throwers had a solid day. Christina Johnson placed third in the girls discus with a toss of 113-8, while Freedom Watson was runner-up in the boys shot put with a distance of 49-0. Other 4A athletes who finished in the top five included Lakeland’s Austin Black, second in high jump; and Jason McKinney, fifth in pole vault; and Margaret Behre of Moscow, second in discus.

•3A: The team races are too early to call with just two events in the books.

Priest River had two top-five finishers – Taylor Stewart in the girls shot put, fifth, and Ned Florea in the boys discus, fourth.

•2A: Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy looks like it belongs after winning the 1A state title last season.

Junior Sabrina Ewing – the defending state champion in high jump – got the Panthers off to a good start, winning the state title in triple jump with a leap of 36-11/2.