State Boys Track and Field: Koser fends off challengers to repeat as discus champ

YAKIMA — He’s a cattle ranch hay-bailer everyday of the week.

Except on Saturday afternoon.

That’s when Oakville High School’s Lewis Koser goes from chucking hay to chucking discs. And winning state championships along the way.

It took until the final throw of the Class 1B discus to put Koser on top of the podium for the second consecutive year with a best throw of 149 feet, 10 inches on the final day of the 1B/2B/1A state track and field championships at Zaepfel Stadium.

“I’m really proud, I was a little nervous,” Koser said. 

It was the beginning of a standout day for area boys. Onalaska sophomore Ethan Thayer capped his year with a state title in the 2B discus while a handful of individuals and relays ended up on the podium.

The Loggers, spurred by their prowess in the field events, earned a third place team finish with 53 points to leave Yakima with a trophy.

“It feels great to be on top,” Thayer said. “Feels really good. Put so much work in, so much time in my life. I reached my goal.”

Koser had the best throw all day long until the final attempt. Valley Christian’s Joseph Steinbach, who outlasted Koser just 24 hours earlier in the shot put, tied the Acorns star with a toss of 149-04.

It wasn’t until afterwards that Koser found out that Steinbech and him were tied. Even if Koser hadn’t thrown farther, he would have won based on a tiebreaker of second-farthest throw.

That didn’t need to be used.

The last throw by Koser was his best and roughly two feet shy of his PR. Still, he was all smiles in successfully defending his title.

“Focused on having fun, I don’t do that very much,” he said. “Sometimes I am a little too competitive.”

Winning came more clearly and often with now eight victories this spring. He gained muscle during football and boys basketball seasons, while also throwing haybails on his ranch. It ended up being a vital part of his journey as district and state champ.

And he’s already talking about potentially securing a three-peat for his senior year.

“Winning three times in a row would be pretty cool,” Koser said.

Thayer’s journey to multiple state titles got underway with back-to-back lifetime bests of 171-02 and 175-05, the latter being his best throw. He fouled on three of his final four throws which left him slightly disappointed.

Yet after hugging family members and sharing a moment with teammate Justice Werner, Thayer was more than happy.

“I just closed my eyes, talked to myself and I just focused,” he said. “Explosive at the end. It worked out.”

The Shelton Invite was where things flipped in Thayer’s favor. He hadn’t thrown over 160 feet all year until uncorking a toss of 161-01 to finish second. Since that throw, he’s upped his PR four times this month.

“I’m never satisfied, I always want to build up to do better,” Thayer said.

It was a C2BL heavy podium with Werner, Toledo’s Cooper Fallon and Winlock’s Lincoln Ruiz joining Thayer as top-eight medalists.

Also in 2B, Rainier’s Zander Peck (javelin) and Toledo’s Treyton Marty (3,200 run) ended their prep careers with runner-up finishes in their respective events. Both will continue competing in college, Peck at St. Martin’s and Marty at Willamette.

Peck’s best toss in the competition was 177-05. It came on his second throw of the day and he equaled that with his final toss as a prep in the javelin. Peck made the finals in the discus, but failed to medal.

“Pretty happy with how it turned out,” Peck said. “To have so many coaches that were very supportive and people that were around, it is pretty cool.”

Marty’s time of 9:51.07 was more than enough to secure him his highest placement in four years of qualifying in the event and leaving with four medals. His time is also the fastest he’s registered in Yakima.

“I’m really proud of myself. I knew I couldn’t peak freshman and sophomore year,” Marty said. “Hours before, I was crying on the inside. It has been such a ride and I hate to see it end.”

In 1A, Tenino’s Carson Schall avenged last spring’s shortcomings with two third place finishes in the 110 and 300 hurdles. The senior, a Portland State recruit, set a new PR in the 110s at 14.85 seconds.

He felt a feeling of gratitude when reflecting on his career for the Beavers, mainly proving to himself he could accomplish two top-three placements.

And even overcoming a little doubt from his own mom.

“I told my mom I wanted to compete in college and she looked at me and said ‘good luck’ and I think it was valid,” Schall said. “This trip was business; it was an awesome time.”

Pe Ell’s Calan McCarty, after four years of qualifying for state in the 300 hurdles, finally broke through onto the podium with a seventh place finish. He also secured a fourth place performance in the 110s.

“I’m happy with how I ended it,” McCarty said. “It was a great track career for me. Whether it was eighth place or first place, (the goal was to) get a medal.”

Onalaska’s Justin Jacoby (javelin) and Toledo’s Conner Hill (3,200) took third and fifth, respectively. Adna’s Gavan Muller (110 hurdles) plus Rainier and Onalaska’s 400 relay placed inside the top-five.