North Creek’s Natalie Holmer knew it was her last meet, so she went all out.
The Jaguar senior outgunned her opponents with the top girls javelin throw of 138-11 in the 4A state competition on May 24 at Mount Tahoma High in Tacoma.
“It just feels amazing. My last couple meets I hadn’t broken 130, so it was just fantastic to get back up there within 10 feet of my PR,” she said of her top mark of 147-4, which was the best nationally amongst high-school girls in March.
“This wind was a little bit crazy, but everybody’s under the same conditions,” she continued. “Mentally, I had to make sure sure I was doing the right stuff. My practices this past couple weeks have been really intentional and purposeful. I put some good stuff on the runway.”
Holmer admitted that she was nervous before the competition, but since she’s been there before, she feels comfortable with the surroundings and was proud to represent North Creek. She had a bevy of supporters on site watching her every move and loudly calling out her name before and after throws.
“It’s a really exciting moment, and it’s just crazy,” she said of winning state.
While glancing at the runway one last time before carrying her javelin out of the competition area, Holmer said she had positive interactions with her 15 opponents and it was great to see some familiar faces since they’ve thrown together at state before.
Next up, Holmer will throw for the University of Washington and plans to major in bio chemistry or another facet of the STEM realm.
“I’m excited to find my place academically as well as athletically” she said of UW, which had representatives contact her after they learned of her PR.
Holmer has learned lessons on the track and field front that she’ll be able to carry with her wherever she roams.
“When I’m nervous and the mental pressure gets on me, I really focus on compartmentalizing and taking it one step at a time,” she said. “Doing what I know how to do mechanically, what my body knows how to do, and that helps me in school and any time I’m under pressure.”
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Also for North Creek, Kyle Mumma tied for seventh in the pole vault (14-00) and Sofia Decoteau took eighth in the high jump (5-0).
For Inglemoor, Kincaid Schmitt took fifth in the 400 run (49.83) and seventh in the long jump (21-09.75), and Erica Swift took seventh in the triple jump (36-01).
On the Bothell side, the boys 4×400 relay took fourth in 3:25.16 and consisted of Garrett Lowe, Gage Herriott, Cooper Hayes and Mason Locknane. For the girls, the 4×400 relay took sixth in 4:04.75 and featured Hannah Cecil, Kerstin Ly, Liza Yusem and Estera Levinte.
