ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: NATHEN KING

Nathen King

School: Kelly

Sport: Track

Coach: Bill Davis

Week report: King, a senior, advanced to state competition in three events last Saturday after taking the Class 2A, District 1 Championship in the 800 with a personal-best time of 2:00.05 and taking second in the 1,600 with a time of 4:41.1. King was also on the 4x800 team which took first with a time of 8:27.5, 17 seconds faster than any other team. Kelly's boys took second overall in the 12-team meet which included several St. Louis schools.

Season report: King, who took fifth in state last year in the 800, has been beaten only once in that event in 13 races this season. He has a personal-best time of 4:38 in the 1600. He is a seven-time all-state runner in cross country and track: As a junior he ran anchor on 4x800 which placed third; he finished 6th and 24th in the 2A cross country state meet his junior and senior years, respectively; his sophomore year he ran on Kelly's all-state 4x400 and 4x800 relays; and his freshman year was a member of the all-state 4x800.

Coach's comments: "He's made all-state more than anybody else we've ever had. He easily could have three more, which would be 10. That would be an outstanding number. The half is his best event. He's very strong, very powerful and has a lot of speed. And he has a lot of competitive spirit which helps a lot. When he steps to the line he doesn't like to lose. He has a pretty good work ethic. I think being a senior will help him a lot. I'm hoping that's an intangible that helps spur him even more."