When it comes to the discussion about the top distance runners in the state of Washington, there isn't a primary focus on just one event, but all three of them.
Although every athlete didn't necessarily compete in all three at state this year, they are ranked among the top in a certain distance because of the times they have run.
Here is a list of the top 20 male distance runners in Washington state at the high school level based on their performances this season.
Let's the arguments commence!
1. Joe Waskom, Mount Si: Waskom became a back-to-back 4A state champion in the 3,200 this spring after winning this past Saturdays race in a personal best time of 8:56.02. He also finished second in the 1,600 by less than a second and ran a personal best time of 4:06.64. Ranked third in the state in the 800 with a time of 1:53.49. One of three runners on our list that will run for the University of Washington next fall.
2. Daniel Maton, Camas: Maton won his third consecutive 4A state titles in the 800 and 1,600 this last week running 1:52.07 and a personal best 4:06.07. He may not have the fastest time in the 3,200 this year, but he is most certainly the best middle-distance runner to come out of Washington in a long time. Helped the Papermakers to a second place team finish. Another University of Washington bound runner.
3. Luke Houser, Woodinville: Houser had a year of P.R.'s in his final high school track season. Placed 3rd in the 1,600 (4:08.17) and 2nd in the 3,200 (8:57.38) at the 4A state meet. He is also ranked 13th in the state for the 800 running a time of 1:55.34. He will join Maton and Waskom at the University of Washington next fall.
4. Jonas Price, Eisenhower: The top returning underclassmen for next spring placed 4th in the 1,600 and 3rd in the 3,200 at the 4A state meet running personal best time of 4:10.22 and 8:57.65. Price dropped three seconds in his 800 running a time of 1:55.83, which ranks 15th in the state.
5. Austen Apperson, Adna: Apperson is not your typical small school distance runner. The Boise State commit won 2B 800 in a state meet record time of 1:54.37, while also winning the 3,200 too. His personal best marks in the 1,600 and 3,200 are 4:14.8 and 9:16.91.
6. Bradley Peloquin, Gig Harbor: The Peloquin era comes to an end at Gig Harbor. Bradley won his first two state championships in the 3A 1,600 and 3,200 running 4:12.69 (PR) and 9:01.84. His 3,200 personal best time is 8:57.52, which ranks third in the state. He also ran a personal best in the 800 with a time of 1:57.61, a 7 second drop from his sophomore year. A contributor to Gig Harbor's second place team finish.
7. Wil Smith, Lewis & Clark: Although it wasn't the greatest of meets for Smith at 4A state, he's still one of the top runners based off his times this season. Smith ran personal best times of 4:14.76 in the 1,600 and 9:07.01 in the 3,200. Ranked 10th and 5th in the 1,600 and 3,200 in the entire state.
8. Brian Martinez, Tahoma: Runner-up in the 4A 800 meter, Martinez ran a personal best time of 1:53.61 placing him fifth in the state. Also placed 8th in the 1,600 running a personal best time of 4:14.94. Help the Bears to a second place team finish.
9. Johan Correa, Kennewick: Correa won his second consecutive 800 3A state title running a season best mark of 1:53.4, which puts him second in the state. He also placed third in the 1,600 with another season best time of 4:16.31.
10. Riley McDowell, Glacier Peak: McDowell had a great year running the 800 and 1,600 as he placed 5th in both races at the 4A state meet. Ran personal best times of 1:55.91 and 4:12.49.
11. Alec Kness, North Central
12. Dylan Hartono, Edmonds-Woodway
13. Justin Roosma, Walla Walla Valley
14. Braeden Packyard, West Valley (Yakima)
15. Riley Moore, Richland
T16. Eliason Kabasenche, Pullman
T16. Jacob Easton, University
T18. Sam Geiger, Camas
T18. Caleb Olson, Hanford
20. Erik Luu, Shorecrest