TACOMA — Blake McPherson is emerging as one of the best javelin throwers in the state.

That much was obvious when the Arlington junior finished fourth in the Class 4A state track and field meet at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma May 29.

“I didn’t do as well as I’d like to,” said McPherson of his 186-10 mark. “I’m not happy with the way I threw today, but fourth place is good.”

The mark was an improvement in the standings for McPherson, who finished 10th at state in 2009.

When it came to many of the field events over the three-day meet, it was the luck of the draw that a head wind wasn’t gushing when your name was called.

“When the wind was like this, it pretty much gets to the javelin and kills it,” he said. “A little bit is good to straighten it out, but there was too much today.”

McPherson, who finished 10th in 2009, was the sole Arlington ribbon earner at the meet, although a few others made it to the final day of competition, such as McPherson’s teammate and fellow sophomore Maxim Bryson, who was 10th in the javelin with a throw of 169-09 and 10th in the high jump, reaching 6-02.

Also, junior Devante Gaillard ran the 100-meter race in 11.82 to finish in 15th place.

The boys finished 51st, scoring five team points while the 4A champion was Mead with 82.5 points.

Javelin continued to be the constant for Arlington with the girls, as junior Stephanie Van Slageren earned eighth place, throwing 118-0.

The Arlington girls scored one team point, while the state champion was Mead with 65 points.

Junior Kylene Swegle finished 11th in the 100-meter hurdles at 15.95 and Katie Anderson was 12th in the 300-meter hurdles at 47.73.

Continuing with a strong junior class was Jasmine Redix, who was 12th in the 200 (26.55) and 13th in the 100 (13.16), while sophomore Teresa Wadey was No. 12 in the 800 (2:23.32).

Wadey was also a member of the girls 4×200 relay that finished 13th with a time of 1:47.27, along with Virginia Wilson, Melissa Webb and McKenzie Corpron.