Central Kitsap's Schenk sets records with state javelin gold

It was a showdown between the two best high school boys javelin throwers in Washington: Yelm's Brayden Platt and Central Kitsap's Roderick Schenk.

Platt landed the first power punch. Schenk responded with the knockout blow.

One of the top head-to-head battles during the first day of the state track and field championship at Mount Tahoma High School on Thursday saw Schenk claim the Class 3A javelin title with a meet-record throw of 219 feet, 1 inch. The 219-1 mark is the best throw in a high school meet in the nation this season and smashed the former Central Kitsap and West Sound record of 210 feet, set by former Cougars state champion Hudson Keffer in 2015.

"Everything was just perfect," Central Kitsap throws coach Bill Braun said. "We knew he could get it out there."

Schenk needed a record-setting performance to beat Platt, arguably the top male athlete in Washington. Platt entered state with the top marks in the shot put and discus, and ranked second behind Schenk in javelin. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound junior is also a major Division I football recruit and former state-caliber wrestler.

"He's a scary guy," Schenk said with a chuckle.

Platt threw 214-0.5 as a sophomore, but his best throw this season coming into state was 189-7. On the other hand, Schenk threw a personal-best 203-11 in districts last week, making him the top seed Friday. Yet it was Platt who earned the first major cheers of the competition as his first attempt travelled 209-10.

When the event coordinator announced Platt's mark, Schenk knew it was time to dig deep — and quickly.

"I didn't have any doubt stepping on the runway," Schenk said.

Schenk fired his javelin directly down the middle of the sector. It was a thing of beauty, like a missile flying true before slowly descending to the ground. The announcement of 219-1 triggered a loud eruption of applause in the crowd and prompted Schenk to pump his fist several times.

"I just relaxed and I did what I knew I could," Schenk said. "I connected with it pretty good."

It turned out to be a title-winning throw for Schenk. Platt topped the 200-foot mark three more times, finishing with a second-best 216-0 on his fourth throw. Schenk had two other throws of 208-8 and 208-1, while he passed on three other attempts.

Schenk said Platt played a major role in his record-setting day.

"He had a really good series," he said. "I think we were pushing each other."

Braun, who'll retire from coaching after state, felt Schenk's response to Platt's initial huge throw shows how much he's grown as a competitor.

"That's what I'm most proud of," Braun said.

While Schenk and Platt were in the middle of the javelin competition, Olympic senior Sara Leasiolagi was busy winning the 2A girls discus event. Just like Schenk, Leasiolagi's top throw of 116-10 came on her first attempt. Columbia River's Logan DeJong took second with a mark of 115-1.

"Once I got 116, I was like, 'I have to PR," said Leasiolagi, whose top throw during the regular season was 119-10.

Leasiolagi, who fouled on four of her final five attempts, admitted that she rarely has her best throw in competitions during round one.

"It happened this time," she said.

Winning discus titles at state runs in the family for Leasiolagi. Her cousin, Pono Fuiava, set a new West Sound record of 146-1 while claiming the 3A girls discus title in 2019. Fuiava was in attendance Friday to see her younger cousin reach the top of the podium.

"She came to support me," Leasiolagi said.

Other placers on Thursday included North Kitsap junior Salix Wartes-Kahl and Central Kitsap junior Savannah Fourier. Wartes-Kahl ran a personal-best 5 minutes, 9.33 seconds to place third in the 2A girls 1,600 race. Wartes-Kahl, who entered state as the top-ranked 800 runner in 2A, paced herself during the first two laps of the 1,600 and finished strong, overtaking several runners while holding off White River's Emma Tomlinson (5:09.86).

"I don't go out really fast, but a lot of these girls here do," Wartes-Kahl said. "I felt good the last 200 because that's when I really start kicking."

Fourier cleared 5-2 to place third in the 3A girls high jump. She placed fourth in the event as a sophomore.

Finishing in the top-eight to earn medals in their respective events Thursday were Central Kitsap freshman Audra Palmer (5th, 3A girls 1,600), South Kitsap sophomore Lauren Laws (6th, 4A girls 1,600), South Kitsap senior Riley Smith (8th, 4A boys shot put) and North Mason sophomore Adrianna Tupolo (8th, 2A girls discus).

During Friday's 4A/3A/2A competition, South Kitsap captured its first individual title as sophomore Amelya Lester-Dame won the girls 100 ambulatory race in 15.07, while Wolves junior Grace Degarimore placed second in the 4A girls shot put event with a top mark of 38-11.

For Bainbridge, sophomore Yafei Shou placed third in the 3A boys pole vault by clearing 14 feet and junior Claire Hungerford took seventh in the 3A girls 100 hurdles, clocking in at 15.96. In 2A, Kingston junior Leighton Menge placed sixth in the 2A girls 100 hurdles in 16.40, while North Kitsap senior Tenichi Gordon cleared 13 feet in the 2A boys pole vault to place seventh.

At the 1A/2B/1B state meet in Yakima on Thursday and Friday, Klahowya sohomore Natalie Oathout placed seventh in the 1A girls 1,600, Crosspoint senior Hannah Smart placed fifth in the 1B girls long jump, and Crosspoint senior France Wasson placed seventh in the 1B girls pole vault.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Central Kitsap's Schenk sets javelin record in state track and field win