Prep track notebook: U-Hi’s Martin breaks collarbone, season over
The journey to the state track meet for Greater Spokane League athletes begins Thursday.
For University standout high jumper Noah Martin, though, the hope of defending a state title and getting a couple more chances at the all-time state record came to an end last weekend.
Martin, who has a state-leading jump of 7 feet, 3 inches, broke a collarbone playing Frisbee with some friends. He had surgery Monday.
“I leaned over and lost my balance and hit my shoulder on the ground somehow,” Martin said. “I lost consciousness for a little bit (because of the pain).”
Martin, who signed to continue jumping at Montana State University, said it’ll take about four-to-eight weeks to heal.
“He wasn’t doing anything stupid. He was just out with friends playing Frisbee,” U-Hi high jump coach Liz Wardsworth said.
“I’m a little bit upset that I won’t be able to defend my state title but it’s not the end of the world,” Martin said.
Wardsworth agreed.
“We’re all moping around but it’s not one of those things where he’ll grow up wondering what would have happened,” Wardsworth said. “This is a hiccup; it just happened at the most inconvenient time. I’m glad that he’s had the opportunities to do as well as he has. That’s what is making this manageable.”
Martin broke a handful of records this season including the school record and marks at the Pasco Invite and Mooberry Relays.
And twice – once at Mooberry and at a GSL dual – he had attempts at breaking the overall state record of 7-4½ set in 1985.
“It’s been a great season,” he said. “It’s disappointing because I could see myself going higher. But I have some meets this summer and college.”
This ‘n that
There were a handful of noteworthy personal bests last week.
Gonzaga Prep’s Nick Johnson cracked the 14-second mark in the 110-meter hurdles at 13.94, a .12 improvement.
Sienna Swannack of Lakeside upped her best in the high jump an inch (5-7).
Jaxyn Farmen of Medical Lake made almost a foot improvement in the long jump (17-½).
Keiton Klein of Reardan extended her best in the javelin (132-9).
Berlyn Hunt of Almira/Coulee-Hartline made a big leap in the long jump, going from 16-4½ to 17-7¼.
Jocie Osika of Lake City has the best discus in the region (131-4).
Postseason meets
North Idaho athletes compete in state-qualifying meets beginning Thursday.
The 5A and 4A Region I teams will be at Coeur d’Alene High on Thursday and finish at Vollmer Bowl in Lewiston on Friday. The meets begin at 2 both days.
The meets begin at 3:30 on Thursday and 5 on Friday.