WASHINGTONIANS: what are your favorite memories of past state meets?

I remember competing in the meet in 1982 (maybe in the Tacoma Bowl?) and watching Darrell Robinson destroy the 400m field with a 44.69 that I think is still the state record. It was one of those performances that sets the crowd buzzing. If I remember correctly, it was right around then that the Star Track label was stuck on the meet. The 1982 edition might have been Star Track I. What's it at now? Star track XXV?

Is his time still the national record?

Yes, but considering he later admitted to using steroids (and ended up a desperate crack addict), it has a tinge to it.

how wrote:

Is his time still the national record?

Lets go WAY back to 78. Terry Ellis, Pateros, HJ 7"2"+ at state. They had to put the jump standards on apple boxes.

One of the greatest Washingon State meet races was in the 1983 1600, when Matt Donnelly (Renton) edged Tom Bohannon (Issaquah) by 3/100ths: 4:05.58 to 4:05.61. Curt Corvin (Lakes) was third in 4:06. The kicker: as I recall, that in that year, Star Track was actually held in Renton (I may be mistaken). The place must have been in upheaval. Also note that all three athletes lived within 30 minutes of each other, on the *west side!*.

my favorite Washington track moment is when the dog got loose on the track at Pasco

oh and not that that it's a favorite memory, but one that sticks out is the kid getting hit in the head with a javelin in 1999

Maybe not the top moment (all the good ones I remember have been taken), but memorable nonetheless.

Solo 10:11 for Alison Tubbs.

Some that stick out (and I'm an old fart to go back this far):

--The hype at the '84 meet in the high jump between JD Taylor (Juanita), who was one of the state's top basketball stars; and, the 5-8 Rick Noji (Franklin), who two weeks earlier (on the same day that Joan Benoit won the Marathon Trials in Olympia) cleared 7-4 1/2 to qualify for the US Olympic Trials as a high school junior. Noji won the state title;

--Noji the following year winning three events at state;

--In 1986, Mary Dong (Franklin) winning her second state title at 800m;

--The two great Blanchet distance runners Cajh Hafferty and Dave Gurry;

--Garfield's Peller Phillips in the long jump

Luckezic vs. Fayant in the 3200 was great.

The finish to the 4A boys XC meet in 2003 when it was an East vs. West sprint to the finish (Garber vs. Kinsella) was pretty exciting.

Carl Moe's senior year in the mile at state was also fun to watch.

my favorite is the Fayant-Lukezic duel in the 3200. Fayant took a major lead and Lukezic caught him with 3 laps to go. With 250-maybe 300 to go Lukezic took off. Fayant followed and Fayant barely nipped him at the line. They both ran their last 200 in 25 seconds.

It makes you wonder what kind of runner fayant would have become if he kept with running considering what Lukezic has done. It's hard to believe but Fayant had the better kick as he used it in the 3200 and the state x-c to beat Lukezic, and his crazy kick at Western regionals at MT Sac. I remember he was like in 20th place with a mile to go and u hear Pat Tyson yelling his ass off at him about the last mile. He took off, and I think he ended up running his last mile in 4:24 to get second.

Austin Abbot falling in the 800m prelims, then getting up to finish 3rd(?), along with winning the 1600 and 800m finals.

What happened to Fayant after his freshman year. He ran some good times--14:10 or so and 8:50 steeple. I think those times are right. Then I remember him wanting to transfer from UW to WSU back to UW. Did this just mess him up or did he just loose the fire? Jason and Todd both ended up having successful college careers but Jesse was prepped to have the best one.

It's an obvious answer!! He went to UW; where good runners go to die. He did go to UW then transfered to WSU, and back to UW and quit the team the next year, and I think he is at Eastern Washington right now. Not running anymore?

For those that knew him they would tell you that he was the laziest runner they ever met. I think he was only running like 20-30 miles a week in high school. WOW!! Maybe the best talent Washington has never got to see, besides Matt Davis.

How about when sophomore Owen Powell of Mercer Island won the 1600 in 4:07 in the 2023 3A meet?

Not that it means anything anymore, but he’s capable of going under 4 minutes in the mile by his senior year. His parents are pretty much taking a hands off approach with his training.