LAKEWOOD — Sophomore Paige Shimkus and senior Reille Jones have found their niche in Lakewood track.

They championed in their respective events at the Birger Solberg Invitational at Bellingham April 9, Jones won the shot put, throwing for 37-10.75 meters, and Shimkus in the javelin, throwing for 121-11 meters.

Jones knew she had to up her game when she saw Sehome’s Mary Carbee complete a throw of 37-10.75.

“I wasn’t throwing as well at the beginning,” Jones said. “That kind of pushed me to be serious and throw better.”

Shimkus credits her throw to the competitive atmosphere as well, but not in the conventional sense.

“The girls there were just really positive,” Shimkus said. “Nobody was negative. It was just a fun meet and a really good experience.”

As a result, they are the Arlington Times-Marysville Globe Co-Athletes of the Week.

Jones began throwing for Lakewood as a freshman but injured her shoulder and had to quit early. She played the post position in basketball as well, but has committed herself to shot put because of the college opportunities.

Shimkus got into javelin when her throwing coach, Tasha Kryger, noticed her arm strength in volleyball during middle school.

“She told me when I get to high school I should try out for javelin,” Shimkus said.

Shimkus plays volleyball for Lakewood now, but is finding her passion growing more in the javelin.

“I’d say I like javelin more,” Shimkus said. “But just the team aspect of volleyball is really good, too.”

Shimkus was fourth in state and Jones finished sixth last season. Both girls want to place better in state but also want to break the school records — especially Shimkus, who wants to break the 135 meter-record set in 1990.

“That thing is way too old,” Shimkus said. “I’m trying to set a fresh record.”

Jones is getting really close to breaking a record. The current shot put mark is 38-11.

“I’m a couple inches off,” she said.

Colleges are already checking Jones out, but she’s hoping to get an offer from Eastern Washington, where she is drawn most to because her brother, Jerrod, plays football there.

“It feels like home because I’ve been there so much,” she said.

Shimkus would also like the opportunity to have javelin take her to college.

“I think that would be awesome,” she said. “But that’s a lot to think about.”