Win now, enjoy outdoors later

RATHDRUM — While he didn’t accomplish one of his goals, Michael Shuey still notched his first championship in the javelin on Friday afternoon at the fourth IronWood Throws Classic.

After training for the last two weeks, Shuey, a Penn State product put his work to use, winning the men’s javelin with a throw of 74.24 meters (243 feet, 7 inches) at the IronWood Training Center on throws guru Bart Templeman’s property.

“I didn’t really know what to expect,” Shuey said. “I changed a lot of things from my last meet. I wanted to see where I was at before going into the U.S. Championships in a few weeks, and it was a good test.”

Shuey, the top-ranked American in the javelin, set the mark on his second attempt of the round.

“I just stayed more relaxed on my second throw than the other ones,” Shuey said. “I had a mark out there, so I tried to hammer one. I couldn’t really control it and was all over the place with my technique. That’s something I’ve got to work on in the next few weeks. But I feel like I’m in a good place going into the championships.”

The U.S. Championships are June 21-24 at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

“I just need to stay consistent,” Shuey said. “I’m feeling pretty sore and pretty tired, so to achieve that mark, I’ve got to be happy with that.”

Now about that other goal?

“The next time I come back (to North Idaho), I’m going to have to bring my fishing license, bring a fishing rod and binoculars and look for some moose,” Shuey said. “That’s my goal for next year, is to see a moose or maybe a whitetail deer.”

Andrew Evans, who competed at Kentucky, set a meet record in the men’s discus with a throw of 66.05 meters (216-8). The previous mark was held by Mason Finley in 2016 (65.63 meters, 215-4).

“I had a really, really bad two meets before this,” Evans said. “My goal was to come out and implement those things I’ve been working on and fix those issues that I’ve been working on over the last week. I think I did a decent job of that, but still feel I’ve got some things to work.”

Evans — ranked fourth in the nation — had finished runner-up the past two years in the event.

“I love throwing here,” Evans said. “It was very relaxed, and the air feels so fresh. It was an amazing day.”

Houston native Ariana Ince repeated as the women’s javelin champion, notching 59.42 meters (194 feet, 11 inches) on her first throw of the event.

“I was a little worried when I left to come here,” Ince said. “Thursday, it was 100 degrees, and I was a little cold here (it was in the 60s during the women’s javelin). It got nicer as the day went on. It’s always a great place to throw.”

Competitors in the men’s and women’s divisions each received $500 for first place, $300 for second and $200 for third.

Ince fouled on three of her six attempts.

“I’ve been working on technique and it was nice to get it set in on that first throw,” Ince said. “After that, I think I was just forcing it and thought anything was possible and went away from my routine, instead of what I was working on. It’s pretty cool to get a second straight one. It’s a really good community to throw in and great facility for throwers.”

Rachel Dincoff, an Auburn product, won the women’s discus with a throw of 61.01 meters (200-2), hitting the mark on her second attempt of the afternoon.

“Today, it was honestly about being consistent,” Dincoff said. “I threw a big PR a few weeks ago. I hit that big throw, and sometimes things creep in and you’re like, ‘can you replicate that again’ and you’re trying too hard.”

Dincoff also had a throw of 195 feet on her fourth attempt.

“The biggest thing for me is I tend to not stay on the ground long enough and don’t work the ground,” Dincoff said. “For today, that was my focus. Where I fell short was because I didn’t set it up right in the back and was too focused on the front. I’m glad for that because the back is something I’ve focused on my entire life. Working the ground is still new to me, but it was great to feel that and know what that feels like.”

High school winners included Lillian Hill (North East, Pa.) in the girls javelin, Zechariah Blake (New Orleans) in the boys javelin, Shelby Moran (Sherwood, Ore.) in the girls discus and Josh Sobota (Knoxville, Tenn.) in the boys discus.

The meet resumes today starting at 1 p.m. with the hammer throw and concludes with the shot put.

WOMEN’S JAVELIN — 1, Ariana Ince, 59.42 (194 feet, 11 inches). 2, Bethany Duke, 53.0 (173-11). 3, Katie Reichert, 52.16 (171.1). 4, Rebekah Wales, 46.49 (152-6). 5, Marley Chambers, 36.71 (120-5).

GIRLS JAVELIN — 1, Lillian Hill, 43.82 meters (143-9).

MEN’S JAVELIN — 1, Michael Shuey, 74.24 (243-7). 2, Capers Williamson, 73.44 (240-11). 3, Riley Dolezal, 72.59 (238-2). 4, Andrew Bloom, 68.86 (225-11).

BOYS JAVELIN — 1, Zechariah Blake, 63.02 (206-9). 2, Roman Mitchell, 62.03 (203-6). 3, Zach Annanie, 61.19 (200-9). 4, Joe Nizich, 56.40 (185-0).

WOMEN’S DISCUS — 1, Rachel Dincoff, 61.01 (200-2). 2, Summer Pierson, 60.97 (200-0). 3, Kelsey Card, 58.57 (191-11). 4, Alex Morgan, 54.73 (179-6).

GIRLS DISCUS — 1, Shelby Moran, 51.18 (167-11). 2, Veronica Fraley, 50.46 (165-7). 3, Makayla Kelby, 49.80 (163-5).

MEN’S DISCUS — 1, Andrew Evans, 66.05 (216-8). 2, Rodney Brown, 65.34 (214-4). 3, Reggie Jagers, 65.27 (214-1). 4, Philip Jagers, 60.21 (197-6). 5, Lance Brooks, 49.77 (163-3).

BOYS DISCUS — 1, Joshua Sobota, 61.10 (200-5). 2, Patrick Larrison, 60.08 (197-1). 3, Tyson Jones, 57.94 (190-1). 4, Zechariah Blake, 52.73 (173-0). 5, Carter Hughes, 52.71 (172-11). 6, Ian Frost, 49.66 (156-7).