Dominating discus throws help South Kitsap's Degarimore land scholarship
South Kitsap senior track and field standout Grace Degarimore is currently ranked No. 5 in javelin and No. 2 in shot put among Class 4A girls, but it's the discus where she's extra motivated to live up to her No. 1 status at the state championships later this month at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma.
Degarimore nearly became a state champion last spring. She led the field heading into the last round after a throw of 141 feet, 9 inches. At the time, it was the best throw of her career by over 14 feet and felt like a title-clinching mark. Yet during the final round, Bothell's Haedyn Bambolo unleashed a personal-best, winning throw of her own: 146-11.
Talk about a high school athlete dealing with a swing of emotions.
"It was heartbreaking," Degarimore admitted.
Based on her performances this spring, it's safe to say Degarimore doesn't dwell on last year. She's performing better than ever. In fact, Degarimore can now call herself a record-holder.
At the 2019 state meet, Central Kitsap's Pono Fuiava set a new West Sound record in girls discus, winning the 3A title with a throw of 146-1. That broke the former West Sound record of 139-5, set by South Kitsap's Angela Sampson in 2000.
Degarimore has surpassed Fuiava's mark four times already this season, throwing 146-11 during a dual meet at Bellarmine Prep on April 11, 150-3 at the Sound Sound Classic at Puyallup on April 13, and 150-4 at the Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays in Oregon on April 26. During a dual meet at Puyallup on Thursday came the whopper: 159-5.
"Absolutely crazy," said South Kitsap girls track and field coach Paul Zimmer, who credits assistant coach Shelby Jackson with helping Degarimore grow as a thrower during her career.
During a practice at South Kitsap in mid-April, Degarimore talked about competing in the discus, shot put and javelin since her freshman year — and how she's grown to love the discus most of all.
"When I get a good release in discus, it feels so great," said Degarimore, who also played two seasons of volleyball and four seasons of basketball at South Kitsap.
Degarimore's recent record-setting performances are paying off in a big way. Last month, she earned what amounts to nearly a full scholarship to attend Utah Valley University. She plans to follow in the footsteps of former South Kitsap track and field star and 2022 Kitsap Sun female athlete of the year, Ella Hopper, who competes for the Wolverines.
Related: South Kitsap's Ella Hopper caps senior year with state titles
Degarimore earned her scholarship offer after spring break, following a visit to Utah Valley in March.
"I loved it there," she said.
Degarimore looks forward to competing on the collegiate level, but knows there's unfinished business for her with the Wolves. South Kitsap's postseason starts May 9 with the South Puget Sound League championships at Ingersoll Stadium in Olympia and continues May 15-17 at the West Central/Southwest Bi-District championships at French Field in Kent. The 4A/3A/2A state meet is scheduled for May 23-25 at Mount Tahoma.
With no other 4A female having eclipsed 135 feet this season, Degarimore heads into the final month of the season as the easy favorite to win her first discus state title. After finishing fifth as a sophomore and second as a junior, reaching the top of the podium remains the one final objective — and Degarimore is prepared to give it her best throw.
"I want that title," Degarimore said. "I've fallen short. I don't want to do that again. I want to be at my prime when it matters."
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: South Kitsap thrower among best in Washington discus, shotput, javelin
