The Auburn Mountainview boys track and field team got a big day from throwers William Mack and Nicholas Aumua at the state 3A meet last weekend at Mount Tahoma Stadium in Tacoma.

“Overall we did very well at state,” said Lions coach Joel MacDougall. “Our two throwers were the biggest surprise.”

Mack expected to do well. The 6-foot-1, 238-pound senior took the district title the week before with a personal-best mark of 158 feet, 8 inches. He went on to snag second at state with a throw of 155-8.

“Willy finished up an outstanding career,” MacDougall said.

A big surprise was Aumua’s third-place finish. The 6-2, 235-pound junior threw 153-1, nine feet farther than his previous best.

“I was most proud of the fact that while other competitors did not have their best day throwing, Nick and Willy stepped up when it mattered the most,” MacDougall said. “That’s what this competition was all about. It’s a nice testament to their attitudes, their competitiveness and also how well our throws coach, Andrew Stranack, prepared them.”

Hanford’s Cody Quinton was first in the discus with a mark of 160-2.

Also placing for the Auburn Mountainview boys was senior Shaddye Melu, who was sixth in the 400 meters with a school-record 50.01 seconds. Foss’ Marcus Chambers won with a time of 47.36.

Melu also finished fifth in the high jump at 6-4.

“(Melu) was hampered by the fact he had to run the 400 meters right in the middle of the competition,” MacDougall said. “He was jumping so well, but once he finished the 400, his legs were spent. I really think he could have won.”

University’s Eddie Gonzalez took the high jump at 6-6, which is Melu’s personal-best effort.

The Lions finished tied for 13th with Timberline with 21 points. Bellevue won the boys title with 65 points.