Recent Ridgefield WA Graduate Achieves Mark Of 261-7 To Break National Prep Record

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Trey Knight knew he had a big throw in him. It was just a matter of getting it out ... way out. 

After a competition-less spring due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Knight's months of training finally paid off with a big fifth attempt in the boys hammer Saturday in a Super Thrower Track Club event at the Concordia Throws Center. (Not sure if it's really still called that since Concordia University closed its doors). 

Knight launched the 12-pound ball 261 feet, 7 inches (79.73m). That surpassed Rudy Winkler's 2013 record of 260-5 (79.37m). 

"It felt good," Knight said. "(The marks) were going up after the third throw. On that throw, once it landed, I could tell that it was pretty far."

Upon hearing the measurement announced, Knight felt the relief of knowing that his goal since freshman year at Ridgefield High in Southwest Washington was achieved. 

"I was on Cloud Nine," he said. "It's something I've worked for and dreamed about all through high school."

The venue, located west of the Portland airport, is now the home of three national high school records in the boys throws.

Sam Crouser threw the javelin 255 feet, 4 inches (77.82m) there on June 12, 2010 to break the national record in that event. His cousin, Ryan Crouser, threw the discus 237-6 (72.39m) on July 9, 2011 to break that record. 

Knight began his series with a modest throw of 222 feet (67.66m). 

"A real banger," he joked. 

From there, Knight scratched his second attempt before improving to 249 feet (75.89m) on his third attempt and surpassing 251 feet (76.50m) on his fourth. 

Knight had a PR of 256-6 (78.18m) from his final club meet of 2019. 

A week earlier, Knight entered a similar throws-only meet and he threw 243-2 (74.11m) on a rainy day. Still, that mark moved him to US#1 on the year.

Throughout the past couple of months, Knight wondered if the opportunity would come to show what he was capable of.

"After first couple meets, I knew I could throw far, but I was feeling like I lost my mojo," he said. "I worked on some little things in practice and got some good practice throws in."