Ridgeview freshman Zowie Nunes rides ‘Hayward Magic’ to unexpected 5A girls javelin title
By René Ferrán
Ridgeview freshman Zowie Nunes didn’t like her chances entering Friday’s finals of the Class 5A girls javelin at the OSAA track and field state championships at Hayward Field in Eugene.
She sat third in the competition following the three preliminary rounds, with the leader — Wilsonville freshman Kylie Fox — having gone 132 feet, 4 inches, on her third throw, more than 10 feet farther than Nunes’ personal best.
However, there’s a reason athletes have coined the phrase Hayward Magic.
Nunes stepped on the runway for her first throw of the finals, took a deep breath and started forward. She threw the javelin and watched it soar farther than she’d ever dreamed possible.
When it landed 138 feet, 2 inches, away, she could hardly believe it.
“I didn’t think I’d be able to do it,” said Nunes, who threw a 17-foot PR. “I was really nervous. I was afraid I was going to scratch again, because I had scratched two of my other throws. 138 was a lot farther than I expected to throw.”
Fox had three chances to catch Nunes and came close on her second, throwing 137-0. Their rivalry should be one to watch over the next three seasons.
“As a freshman, I’m really excited,” Nunes said. “I didn’t think I’d be able to do it, but I was here, and it was fun — a great experience.”
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