Kentridge’s Kevin Hall has been mastering his hurdling technique all season long, and at last Saturday’s West Central District track and field meet at French Field, the crowd witnessed how much his efforts have paid off.

Hall placed second in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles (39.55 seconds) and third in the 110 high hurdles (14.76). Although not his best times – 14.38 and 38.53 remain his standards – he hopes to grab a top spot at the state meet this weekend in Tacoma.

The state Class 4A championships gets under way today and continues Friday and Saturday at Mount Tahoma High School.

Hall and his teammates are poised for a breakout finish.

“I’m ready for it,” Hall said.

Right on his heels is teammate Bralen Westendorf who placed fourth in 110 hurdles (14.77) last weekend.

Hall and Westendorf will see a familiar opponent in the starting blocks this weekend. Kent-Meridian’s Abu Kamara, despite running with micro tears in his left hamstring, finished second in the 110 hurdles (14.65) at district to earn a state berth.

Kamara was absent for 300 hurdles, even though he qualified at the South Puget Sound League meet two weeks ago.

This weekend’s pole vault field will have an East Hill flavor.

With K-M’s Josh Smith taking the number two spot and K-M’s Brad Foster and Kentridge’s Jake Philpott tying for the No. 3 spot at the district meet, an intense matchup is expected as all three boys vie to place at state.

Philpott has already proven himself to be a fierce and focused competitor. He went 13 feet, 3 inches this season to break the school’s sophomore vault record set by Gary White in 1976.

For the girls, Kentridge’s Kiki Gilbert finished third in the javelin with a throw of 121-2.

In the state pole vault, K-M’s Juliana Adams will join Kentwood’s Beth Parrish, who soared to the district title by clearing 11 feet. Adams followed with a 10-6 effort.

Alizhae Hillsman-Shedwin will represent Kent-Meridian in the 200 this weekend and lead the Royals’ 400 relay alongside a team of Jenica Rogers, Keeley Phommathirath, Ashlei Robinson, Stephanie O’Hara or Deedra Patterson. The relay team finished third at district but hopes to come away with a top finish.