Local track stars earn All-American status at Junior Olympic Nationals

Aberdeen’s Tyler Bates, Ocean Shores’ Jared Fry each earn two All-American honors in Eugene, Oregon

Aberdeen High School standout thrower Tyler Bates added some prestigious accolades to his ever-growing list of accomplishments by earning two more All-American honors at the USA Track & Field National Junior Olympic Championships last week at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

On Monday, July 24, the Bobcats incoming senior uncorked a hammer throw of 174 feet, 7.25 inches to place seventh in the 17-18 year-old age group, earning one of eight All-American spots.

Three days later, Bates added another All-American nod, this time in his premiere event – the discus. The former WIAA 2A State discus champion recorded a top throw of 161-7.75 to place seventh, earning his second All-American honor of the event.

Bates, who was competing as an independent (unattached) thrower at the meet, also participated in the 17-18 shot put, where he placed 34th with a mark of 46-8.75.

Bates now has four All-American honors to his credit after he placed eighth in the 15-16 discus and won the national championship in the 15-16 hammer throw in 2021.

Jared Fry earns two All-American nods

Ocean Shores resident Jared Fry earned All-American status with a fourth-place finish in the boys 9-10 high jump and an eighth-place spot in the 9-10 triathlon at the USATF Junior Olympics National Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Fry cleared 1.31 meters in the high jump finals – a mark that was tied with three other competitors – to earn a fourth-place spot on the podium as it took Fry more attempts to clear the mark than the second and third-place finishers.

Frye scored 547 points overall in the triathlon to place eighth after coming in 23rd in the 400 (1:19.13), ninth in the shot put (6.65) and second in the high jump (1.30).

For full meet results, visit athletic.net.

Other local results

11-12

80m hurdles (prelims): 50, Brayden Fry, 16.69 PR.

High jump: 34, Brayden Fry, 1.25m.

Pentathlon: 33, Brayden Fry, 1147 points PR (1500, 6:36.71, 31st; 80m hurdles, 16.69 PR, 28th; shot put, 6.35 PR, 26th; high jump, 1.20, 23rd; long jump, 3.35, 31st).