Wasilla junior wins state track and field title

FAIRBANKS — It took only one throw for John Knowles to erase a rough start in the state shot put competition.

Knowles launched the shot 49 feet and 5 1/4 inches to win an individual title during the first day of the ASAA/First National Bank 4A State Track and Field Championships at Lathrop High School in Fairbanks on Friday.

“I was really nervous. The first two throws, the first was a scratch and the second was a 41,” Knowles said by cell phone Friday afternoon. “I didn’t think I was going to make it (to the finals), then I threw a 47 and finally got back.”

Knowles, who edged Bartlett senior Raymond Reid by about six inches, was one of two Warriors to place in the top four. Wasilla senior Chris Lafe placed fourth with a throw of 46-2 1/2.

Both Wasilla weightmen were aiming for the 50 mark, and Lafe admitted he was a bit disappointed by his throw.

“But I put everything into it,” he said. “I tried.”

Lafe said the throw felt like it went farther than 46 feet. He actually had a longer throw during the final round, but scratched.

When Knowles unleashed his throw of 49 feet, the junior said he felt like it was a good attempt.

On Saturday, Knowles will go for the sweep of the throwing events when he competes in the 4A discus event.

He currently has the state’s best toss of 165 feet, but even though he leads the state and already has one gold medal to his credit, Knowles said the pressure is still there.

“I’m throwing a lot farther in the discus, but there’s still a lot of competition there,” Knowles said.

Houston junior Danielle Barney also had a good first day, placing second in the 4A girls discus. Barney hit 104-02. Colony’s Shellina Irwin placed sixth in the event, hitting 95-1.

A pair of Knights finished in the top-four of the girls’ triple jump. Junior Siobhan Johansen was third with a leap of 32-2 1/4 finishing just ahead of freshman teammate Taylor Stewart, who won the Northern Lights Conference crown in the event last week.

Alice Okasaktaruk, Brooke Nelson and Kiera Rust finished seventh, eighth and ninth respectively in the triple jump.