Second, But Not Second-Rate -- Hazen's Koch Outjumps All But Teammate

RENTON - Sometimes, playing second fiddle isn't so bad. Especially when the first fiddle is one of the finest around.

Kirsten Koch is comfortable with her role as the No. 2 triple jumper on the Hazen High School track and field team, considering No. 1 is Selina Burton. Burton, one of only a handful of prep girls to top 40 feet last spring, won the Class AA state title last season. Koch finished second.

"I understand how good Selina is compared to me," Koch said. "I think I'm doing pretty well, even though I get second."

Koch hit her personal best of 38 feet, 3 1/2 inches at the SeaKing District meet last year. That would have been good enough to win the AA state title in 1992. It was short of Burton's winning jump by more than 2 1/2 half feet. Burton's leap of 40-11 1/2 was a state record.

Burton and Koch, both seniors, agree they push each other to improve.

"You always have someone to compete against every day," Koch said.

But they're friendly rivals.

"We compete against each other," Burton said, "but we're still friends."

Coach Mike Talley said he has never sensed any jealousy on Koch's part.

"I think she's gotten used to it," Talley said. "There hasn't been any indication she's disturbed by it. Like people pointed out last year, she would be the No. 1 person on any other team. But when you have an opportunity to compete with someone on your own team of that caliber, I think it makes you appreciate where you are."

Koch realizes Burton has more physical tools - like better speed - and natural talent that contribute to her success. Burton has run the 100 in 12.5 seconds this season and hopes to get her time down to 12.3. Koch's sprinting ability is not of the same caliber.

Burton and Koch used different jumping styles and have different personalities.

"Selina's a bit more of a serious kind of person, although she's prone to get the sillies every now and then," Talley said. "Kirsten is more easy going."

Koch has not beaten Burton in the triple jump since early last season, but the two often traded victories in the long jump. In that event, Burton finished fifth at state, while Koch was seventh for the second straight year. Koch was fifth in the triple jump as a sophomore. Burton did not turn out for track her sophomore year, instead concentrating on academics.

Talley said the two-foot difference between Burton and Koch in the long jump isn't as big as it sounds.

"That's not much, if you pop one off," he said. "On your jump, you just have to hold your feet up that much longer (a snap of the fingers) and it's two more feet all of a sudden."

Koch said she hopes she can go 40 feet.

"I think by the end of the season I could get pretty close," she said. "It would be nice."

Burton, who placed sixth at the national Junior Olympics last summer, has her sights set a bit farther.

"I can see myself possibly hitting a 42 if I just keep working at it."

With Burton around, Koch's victories come via personal bests, although she admits she occasionally longs for that blue ribbon.

"I mostly concentrate on seeing how far I can jump," she said, "but it would be nice to win once in a while."

------------------------------- RENTON PAIR SHINE IN CALIFORNIA -------------------------------

Senior Aretha Hill and junior Travis Coddington of Renton High School had impressive performances in the prestigious Arcadia Invitational track and field meet Saturday in California.

The meet attracts some of the nation's top high-school performers.

Hill, the two-time defending Class AA state champion in the discus, finished second in that event with a toss of 156 feet, 10 inches, her personal best by 10 feet. The winner was Californian Suzy Powell, who uncorked a national-record 178-7.

Hill failed to make the finals in the shot put.

Coddington placed fourth in the discus with a personal-best 179-4. His previous best was 169-5, a week earlier. He also had a personal-record 51-9 in the shot, but just missed making the finals.