CdA sprinter Zac Magee wins twice, but not content
Zac Magee is one of the top sprinters in the Inland Northwest.
The Coeur d’Alene junior won titles in the 200 and 400 meters, including a meet record Thursday at the 17th District I Meet of Champions featuring the top track and field athletes regardless of classification in North Idaho.
Magee wasn’t satisfied, though. On arguably the best weather day ever for the annual meet at Post Falls, Magee had pedestrian times for himself.
He clocked 22.88 seconds in the 200 and 49.22 in the 400, a meet record.
Magee has broke 49 seconds three previous times, his personal best and the top time in the region, 48.9, coming two weeks ago at Post Falls.
“I was pretty disappointed with my times,” said Magee, who is ranked No. 1 in Idaho in the 400.
Last year, Magee had a goal of earning a medal at state. But the Monday before state, Magee sprained an ankle while jogging on a trail near English Point on Hayden Lake.
He probably shouldn’t have tried running at state but he did, finishing in a season-worst 52.07 in his preliminary heat.
“I was pretty bummed out,” Magee said. “My ankle was pretty tender. I was hoping to make the finals.”
He learned a lesson. He no longer runs on anything but a track or grass.
Magee wants to make up for lost time.
“My goal is to get faster and keep bringing that time down,” Magee said. “I want to win state.”
The all-star meet serves as a final tune-up for state-qualifying meets next week.
Lakeland sophomore Whitnee Skalskiy has the best triple jump in the area as she won with a record-breaking leap of 36 feet, 5 1/2 inches. It broke the school record (36-0) and the meet mark (36-2).
Skalskiy managed the big jump despite aggravating a minor ankle injury in the long jump.
She’s improved nearly four feet since qualifying for state as a freshman. She credits improvement in the second of the three-phase jump.
“Usually that’s the hardest phase for people to get down,” Skalskiy said. “You have to stay patient and hold yourself in the air. What happens is your momentum is pushing you to the pit.”
Coeur d’Alene sprinter Emily Callahan did her second 800 of the season, winning in 2:19.74 and breaking the meet record. She also anchored winning 800 and 1,600 relays.
The Lake City boys 400 relay foursome of Thomas Redal, Chase Moyer, Austin McMasters and Grant Clark came within .04 of equaling their season best, winning in 43.06 – the top time in Idaho.
There were a handful of other double-winners. They were: LC freshman Klaire Mitchell in the 100 (16.51) and 300 (47.75) hurdles; Caitlin Conway of CdA in the 1,600 (5:16.75) and 3,200 (11:34.17); Jocie Osika of LC in the shot put (37-6 1/2) and discus (124-2 1/2); and Grady Leonard of CdA in the shot (54-8 1/2) and discus (152- 1/2).