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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

NC’s Justin Janke closes in on triple crown, wins 1,600

TACOMA – The first 1,500 meters were much easier – if running a mile can be considered easy – for Justin Janke than the last 100 meters.

“That wind was really tough, especially the last 100,” the North Central senior said. “It was like a wall.”

By the final 100, though, Janke had an insurmountable lead as he captured the second leg of the mythical Triple Crown, winning the State 3A 1,600 championship in a time of 4 minutes, 7.69 seconds during the first of three days of Star Track at Mount Tahoma High School.

It was Janke’s all time fastest true 1,600 by nearly five seconds. He’s credited with 4:05.85 from a mile he ran at the Nike/Jesuit meet in Portland last month.

The pace started a bit slow for Janke, who found himself in fourth after a casual first lap. He said the pace seemed to slow down more in the second lap.

“We were at the third 200 meters and it slowed down a ton,” Janke said. “I saw the time on the scoreboard clock. I thought at that point I’m not going to let this slow down and be a kicker’s race. So I picked it up on laps three and four. Nobody came with me.”

Janke won by five seconds. Hayden Dressel of Mt. Spokane took third in a season best 4:14.41 and the feel-good story of the spring, Roberto Lopez of Rogers, earned his first state medal by finishing eighth (4:17.76).

The runners benefitted from the wind on the backstretch but had to use much more energy down the homestretch.

Janke cruised to victory last fall when he won the state cross country title. Now he’s a win away in the 3,200 from completing the Triple Crown. Former NC runners Ben Johnston and Katie Knight were Triple Crown winners.

“This is an interesting meet because there are a ton of guys with tons of potential,” Janke said. “A lot don’t perform well and things happen. What I’m saying is nothing is guaranteed at state.”

Janke didn’t qualify for state last year. Former NC and Mt. Spokane standouts Tanner Anderson and John Dressel dominated the distances last spring.

So Janke, who qualified for state as a sophomore, is determined to leave a mark.

“This is my first real time here,” he said. “I want to make sure I run well and compete.”

Janke will do a light run Friday before going after the 3,200 title Saturday.

“I just want to make sure I stay loose,” Janke said.

In the girls 1,600, Micaela Kostecka broke five minutes for the second straight week, taking third with a personal best 4:57.22.

While happy with her time “It’s not what I was hoping for (overall),” she said.

Jordan Oakes of Holy Names won in an incredible 4:46.80.

Emily Stiles of Mt. Spokane finished fourth in the javelin with a throw of 131-2, nearly four feet further than her previous best.

4A: Isaac Barville of University took third (4:12.28) in the 1,600. It was a season best by three seconds.

Briegan Bester of Central Valley took fourth in the 1,600, breaking five minutes for the second time (4:59.90), bettering her personal best by .09.

In the boys shot put, Kirk Unland of Ferris took fourth (58-2 ¼), nearly three feet further than his previous best.

Nick Johnson of Gonzaga Prep had the fastest time in the 110 hurdle prelims (14.28), by one hundredth of a second. Ben Craig also qualified for the finals but Mead’s Bryan Anderson just missed out.

All hurdles finals are Friday.

The CV girls 1,600 relay posted a blazing 3:55.84 in a prelim, a three-second improvement over their previous best.

2A: East Valley senior Brittany Aquino was seeking a repeat in the 1,600.

And for 3 ½ laps it appeared Aquino would pull it off. But then Abby Johnson of Sehome overtook Aquino with 40 meters to go. Aquino, who won the state cross country title, finished in 5:09.14.

Johnson went from 12th a year ago to winning.