Tahoma High’s Derek Eager makes his mark at Junior Olympics

By Dennis Box • July 9, 2009 11:56 pm
Tahoma High’s Derek Eager throws the discus during the West Central District meet in May.
Tahoma High’s Derek Eager throws the discus during the West Central District meet in May.

Derek Eager is heating up the summer track and field season by making big-time throws at the USA Junior National track meet.

Eager competed at the USA Junior National track meet June 28 at Hayward Field, University of Oregon in Eugene, taking sixth in the javelin.

The Tahoma High 17-year-old star hit a personal-best distance of 203 feet, 7 inches. He had three throws in a series over 200 feet, with his last moving him into sixth.

Next for Eager is the regional Junior Olympics meet this weekend in Salem, Ore. The plan is to compete in the javelin, discus and shot put.

He will follow up with the Junior Olympic Nationals July 30-Aug. 1 in Greensboro, N.C. where he is hoping to throw in all three events.

Eager, who will be a senior next year, finished sixth in the 4A state meet in May with a throw of 198-06 and 10th in the discus with 147-05.