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TACOMA -- Scott Christensen had high hopes for his final high school discus competition.
The Richland senior was coming off a victory in last week's 4A Eastern Regional championships and had been throwing in the 170-foot range during practice this week. "Effortlessly," he said.
So although Christensen finished fourth Friday in the 4A boys finals at Star Track XXVII, his best throw of 153-6 left him with a bad taste in his mouth.
"I threw really bad," he said after finishing more than 6 feet behind winner Marlyn Anderson of Snohomish (159-11). "I don't know what happened. I sucked today."
Another Richland senior, Ashley Willoughby, finished eighth in the girls shot with a best of 36-101/4. Kayla Adams of Thomas Jefferson won with a throw of 41-1.
While Christensen -- who hopes to walk on at BYU next year -- ended his career on what he considered a sour note, Southridge junior Chelsea Bourque began what she hopes to be a sweet finish to her season with a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles at Mount Tahoma High.
Bourque struggled in Thursday's prelim, finishing fourth in her heat to earn a wild-card into the finals.
"I was really excited just to make it into the finals," said Bourque, who ran 15.23 seconds in the final. "I went into it thinking it doesn't matter what lane I'm in (lane 8), it's just me and the hurdles. I can't be upset with fifth."
Bellarmine Prep's Shaquana Logan won the race in a wind-aided 14.19.
Now Bourque can turn her attention solely to today's 4x100 and 4x200 relay finals.
"We can all just channel our energy into the relays," she said. "If we just stay with that same confidence we've had all year, it will all come together."
The Suns got through Friday's 4x100 prelims, with senior Kasey McNeill channeling the frustration of missing out on the long jump finals to run a blistering anchor leg and secure their spot in today's race.
"My leg felt dead during the long jump," said McNeill, who also qualified for today's 100 final. "But whenever I get the baton, my head clears and I'm ready to run."
Prelims were the order of Day 2 of the state meet. Among the Tri-City runners getting through to today's races include a pair of regional champions -- Pasco's Yesenia Ortiz in the girls 400, and Marques Avery in the boys 100 and 200, the latter in more comfortable fashion.
"I've got a sense of security now," said Avery, who ran a career-best 21.95 in the 200 -- No. 6 on the all-time area list. "Now I've just got to come out (today) and pop a big one."
Also getting through in the 200 was Richland senior Steven Piippo, who was 0-for-4 in his previous qualifying tries at state. Junior Martha Sanford also got through in the 300 low hurdles.
w Rene Ferran: 582-1526; rferran@tricityherald.com
