Lehr Tops Track And Field Events

SPOKANE - James Lehr, a 2010 graduate of Waitsburg High School, is a shot put and discus champion in his conference and he's hoping to be an NCAA champion in the near future.

Lehr, who has attended Spokane Falls Community College for the past two years, is working on his degree to teach special education.

Most recently in his college athletic career, he placed first in the conference meet in the discus and the shot put on May 21 and 22 in Spokane. That's an improvement from 2011 when he placed first in the shot put and fourth in the discus.

"This was the best year I've ever had," Lehr said.

Of about 25 throwers on his community college team, he said he is leading the group in discus and is second best in the shot put.

This year Lehr said he gained experience that started to really show results and he began to get more confident in his abilities. This new experience and confidence helped him achieve his recent personal bests, he said.

Lehr said the fourth place he got in discus in 2011 really started a fire under him and pushed him to work harder than ever before.

"Nothing was getting in my way," he added.

Lehr's mother Jody Lehr said she believes Lehr excelled this year because of his dedication, determination, drive and love of the sport.

"He doesn't sit back and let things happen," Jody said. "He's an achiever and always gives 110 percent. We have had people around town tell us of times they have seen James throwing at the football field during his winter break from college -- now that's dedication. I believe he had goals that he wanted to accomplish and ones that would affect his future. It was amazing to see those goals come true at the NWAACC Championship last week."

Lehr said his parents are a huge support to him and travel to most of his track and field events.

Before he rocked the field events in community college, Lehr was setting records in Waitsburg.

He was the 2009 2B state champion in the shot put and discus and he currently holds the shot put and discus records for the school. He broke the discus record of 172.5 his sophomore year in high school and broke the shot put record of 50.11 his junior year.

In college, he admits the competition in field events is "a big difference."

"There's Division 1 competition every weekend," Lehr said. "It's a blast. It's definitely a jump in competition."

Lehr said in addition to more outstanding athletes, the meets are more organized and more strict.

Despite the differences, Lehr said he is ready to move up in the world. He's transferring to a larger school starting next fall to continue his education and to give him some better competition in field events.

Lehr is looking at enrolling at the University of Idaho,

University of Wyoming and Central Washington University.

Most importantly, he wants his next school to have the educational program he's looking for and he wants a good track team with good coaches.

He said as of now, he is leaning toward University of Idaho because it's close to home and he already has a good relationship with the coaches.

He said he will pick which school to attend in the next three weeks and he hopes it will open doors to an NCAA championship.

"I'm looking forward to throwing down the road and what will come in the future for me."