Hanford's Cody Quinton certainly didn't look like your average discus thrower Friday.
Most of the throwers are big, burly guys who like to look tough and glare at the competition.
Quinton, while brawny, looked like he was more about having fun, wearing a boat captain's hat and a string of flowers around his neck.
Don't be fooled, though. He can definitely sling the discus.
The senior launched a career-best, a school-record and a regional title-winning throw on his first attempt, throwing 169 feet, 7 inches.
"I got excited before that first throw and I was just ecstatic," Quinton said. "It went super far. I've been taking baby steps all season. I didn't think about what I was doing, I just went out and performed."
Quinton has had problems this season with overthinking things and struggling to get big marks. That was part of the reason for the crazy outfit at the Eastern Washington Regional Track and Field meet.
"I do it to make myself comfortable," he said. "When I think about my form and technique too much, it all falls apart. I just have to relax and go throw it."
While he never came close to his winning throw the rest of the meet, that was of little importance. He shattered the school record in the event, set by Chris Busselman in the mid-1980s.
"It's a 20-year-old record," Quinton said. "That's what set me off. That's why I got so excited."
Quinton's yells could be heard throughout the stadium. But why not, when he also knew he had also locked up his first state berth in track.
He went to state on two relays in swimming this year, participating in the sport for the first time. But this is the first time he will go to a state meet in an individual event.
"My absolute goal is a state title," he said. "That is what I really want."
He also really wants to go big at the state meet -- even bigger than his 169-7 on Friday.
"My goal is 180," he said. "I'm taking a big jump. No more baby steps."
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