This time, when Turner Washington got into the circle and wound up for his throws, more than breaking his own state record crossed through his mind.

It was all about redemption Wednesday at Mesa Community College, erasing the painful memory of scratching out on all of his final discus throws in last year’s state track and field championships.

Already clinching the Division II boys state discus title earlier with a toss of about 212 feet, the Oro Valley Canyon del Oro senior let loose on his final throw.

The discus traveled 218 feet, 7 inches, the third time Washington set the state record this season.

Before this season, the state mark had been held for 30 years by Tempe’s Dwight Johnson, with nobody throwing farther than 213 feet.

Washington broke the record in late March at Chandler with a toss of 215-8. Two weeks later, he threw 217-5 on his first throw at the Arcadia (Calif.) Invitational to win that. 

Wednesday, Washington won by more than 34 feet.

“It was big for me to come back from last year,” said Washington, who will throw the discus and shot next season at the University of Arizona. “That’s what I was happiest about. 

“I felt I had a big throw left in me. I just had to go out and do it.”

Chandler Hamilton’s best 4×800-meter relay was about 8 minutes, 12 seconds, before Wednesday, when David Nelsen anchored the team that won the Division I title in 7:57.31. 

Dallas Dixon of Tolleson won the Division I boys high jump at 6-6. Josh Onwaldi of Tempe Corona del Sol also jumped 6-6, but it took Dixon fewer tries to get there.

Phoenix Mountain Pointe senior Kayleigh Conlon captured the Division I girls shot put title with a toss of 46-9.  Last month, at Arcadia, Conlon set a state record at 47-9 1/2.

The javelin throw was conducted as an exhibition, combining Divisions I and II. It will become a sanctioned state track and field event beginning next season.

Scottsdale Chaparral senior Maja Ahmann won the girls javelin at 142-4 with Tempe Marcos de Niza’s Carlan Naisant won the boys title at 197-1. 

MORE

AIA baseball state tournament scores, schedules, locations

AIA sofftball state tournament scores, schedules, locations

AIA boys volleyball state tournament scores, schedules, locations

NOMINATE: All-Arizona teams, Athletes of the Week, Academic All-Stars