Washington sets new standard, Jones could be next

Historic boys throws highlight field event performances, including repeats for Mountain Pointe's Conlon, Marcos de Niza's Naisant and Chaparral's Ahmann

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

With one explosive spin in the ring Saturday, Canyon del Oro senior Turner Washington spun a new record with the most exceptional high school discus throw in Arizona state history.

When the 1.6-kilogram implement landed in the fifth round of the 77th NIKE Chandler Rotary Invitational, Washington had finally launched the discus past the 1987 standard set by Tempe High's Dwight Johnson.

Washington, a University of Arizona signee, was officially credited with a mark of 215 feet, 8 inches, elevating him to the No. 9 all-time U.S. prep performer.

Although he was originally announced to have a throw of 216-4, once the steel tape measured the distance, it was confirmed to be eight inches shorter, but still well beyond Johnson's 212-11 effort 30 years ago.

"It's very important because the record was thrown in a California meet, so to do it in front of an Arizona crowd, in front of my family, it's important," said Washington, who had three additional throws beyond 200 feet in his series.

"I think it's a big deal, just to represent Arizona and put Arizona on the map with throwing and track and field."

Washington had already surpassed 211 feet twice this season, including March 18 at the Willie Williams Invitational, and continued to build momentum toward a potential record-breaking performance.

He took advantage of a competitive field that included Desert Vista AZ senior Elijah Mason, who placed second at 201-6, and Lutheran-Parker CO senior Adam Dawson taking third with a 191-foot throw to break through and eclipse Johnson's record.

"(At Willie Williams), I was just pressing too hard. There was just too much pressure because I was on spring break and that's all I was thinking about every day and that I've got to hit a big one," Washington said. "(Saturday) I came in and I was like, 'Let's just have fun.' I wanted to relax, come in and throw a record. That was the mindset. Last week, I was getting big throws, but something was missing. (Saturday) I got it."

Washington's discus performance was the best by any high school thrower in five years. He was also part of an impressive shot put competition, with junior Tyson Jones of Desert Edge winning with a third-round effort of 66-8, the No. 3 mark in Arizona state history.

"The competition was really good, something I never experienced before," Jones said. "Having everybody, Elijah Mason, Turner Washington, both over 60 feet, it was amazing."

Only Johnson's mark of 67-0.50 and the oldest record in Arizona, a 69-3 effort from Phoenix North's Dallas Long in 1958, rank ahead of Jones' performance, which is second in the country this outdoor season.

Washington finished second at 64-6 and Mason placed third at 62-5, making the Rotary meet the second in the country this year to produce at least three 60-foot shot put marks, along with the Katy ISD Bubba Fife Relays on March 4 in Texas, where Conroe The Woodlands senior Adrian Piperi unleashed the national-leading 74-11.5.

"Arizona is coming on the map, there is no other way to put it," Mason said. "With Tyson being only a junior, he's going to throw big next year."

Mountain Pointe AZ senior Kayleigh Conlon repeated her sweep in the discus and shot put. Conlon surpassed the 2012 meet record of 144-10 in the discus set by former Silver Creek CO standout and Stanford redshirt senior Valarie Allman with a personal-best 150-7, in addition to a 42-0.50 shot put.

Marcos de Niza AZ junior Carlan Naisant repeated as boys javelin winner with a throw of 192-4.

Chaparral AZ senior Maja Ahmann also repeated in the girls javelin with a personal-best 132-6.