4A State Track and Field: Cohen Butler of Camas repeats as 3200-meter champion in record-setting fashion

May 30-TACOMA - By the time Cohen Butler powered into the final straightaway of Saturday's Class 4A boys 3,200-meter final, victory was all but secured.

History, however, was still waiting.

The Camas senior broke away from an early lead pack with two laps remaining in the eight-lap race and stormed to the Class 4A state championship Saturday at Mount Tahoma High School, crossing the finish line in a state-meet record 8 minutes, 43.77 seconds.

The victory secured Butler's second consecutive 4A title in the event and shattered the previous state-meet record of 8:49.00, set by Olympia's Ethan Coleman in 2022.

"I'm truly blessed to be able to run as well as I am and be as healthy as I am," Butler said. "Even if I'm a little under the weather this week, to be able to go after records like that is just amazing."

The senior entered the state meet with momentum after running a blistering 8:44 at last weekend's regional meet against many of the same competitors he faced Saturday. Butler said that performance gave him the confidence to believe a special finish to his high school career was within reach.

But at first came disappointment at his final high school state championships. He finished third in Thursday's 1,600 meters (4:07.42) and admitted he used that result as motivation for the 3,200.

"It helped me get a little fire in my gears for today and be able to run fast," he said.

Butler was part of an early three-runner pack alongside South Kitsap's Isaac Benjamin and Olympia's Quenten Lanase that ran a 4:18 opening mile. As the laps clicked away, Butler relied on experience to make his move with two laps remaining.

"It just takes some experience knowing when to move," he said, "when guys are feeling tired and when to go for it."

That lead only grew as he headed down the final straightaway. As the crowd roared and the clock flashed record pace over the final stretch, Butler soaked in the moment. After crossing the finish line in celebration, he embraced his father and Camas head track and field coach, Chris Butler, along the finish-line fence.

"I'm super proud of how I was," Butler said, "and super grateful to my coaches and all of my teammates and everyone who's helped me along the way."

Clark County runners fared well in the 4A girls 3,200 meters. Ella Koch of Union placed second in 10:44.49, well behind state champion Latham West of Bonney Lake (10:18.99). Sara Thompson of Union was third (10:50.27) and Sophia Rogers of Battle Ground was fourth (10:51.99).

Paris Ackerman of Skyview was fourth in the 200 (24.72) and sixth in the 100 (12.30).

Kyleigh Moore of Camas was fourth in the discus (125 feet, 2 inches).

And Chase McGee's state record in the pole vault didn't last long.

McGee broke 56-year-old record when he cleared 17-5 last year. But McGee's mark was surpassed Saturday when Jonathan Allen of Hanford cleared 17-6.

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