Phil Thompson
Graduating Class of 1986
Rarely does an athlete run with the graceful style that makes even veteran coaches stop and appreciate it. The blazing times on their stop watches almost an after thought. But such was the case with Phil Thompson, at 6’1’’ and 160 pounds he ran with an unusually long stride that appeared effortless, until you looked at the time.
Phil played basketball and ran track his freshman year and added cross country to those sports his sophomore year. In track, he places third in the district 400 meters.
It was Phil’s junior year when his real potential speed began to show and he started gathering team and Cowapa league awards. In cross country, his work ethic resulted in his being voted the teams most dedicated. His fourth place finish at the district championships earned him first team all Cowapa league honors. In the spring Phil won the district 800 meter championship and went on to place fifth at the state championships held at Mount Hood Community College. As a result, his teammates voted him their Most Valuable Performer.
All of this set the stage for a senior year that few athletes ever experience. In cross country Phil earner first team all Cowapa league by placing third at the District Meet, and his teammates voted him Most Valuable.
Phil then committed himself fully to track, and spent the winter running hills, long distances, and lifting weight to build his strengths and endurance. His speed improved dramatically in track as he ran all the sprints up through the 800 meters.
He was undefeated in the 800 meters, running 1:58 at the Woodburn Invitational. In a rain storm, 1:56 at the Battleground Invitational, and 1:55 at the Lower Columbia Invitational. Three times he anchored the Fishermen mile relay team in 49 seconds. In between running events he high jumped 6’1’’.
At the Cowapa League Championships, Phil put on a dazzling display of speed. First he anchored Astoria’s 400 meter relay to second place and a birth at the State Championships. He then won the 800 meter championship in 1:55, and finished the meet by running 49 seconds to come from 35 meters behind and qualify his team to state.
At the State Championships, Phil took complete command of the 800 meter race. After the first lap, and blazed to a new state record of 1:53.8, which by the rules had to be rounded up to 1:54.0. A record which stood for 25 years. He then closed his high school career by anchoring the Fishermen mile relay team from eighth place to fifth. His 48 second lap still stands as an Astoria High School record. His teammates voted him Most Dedicated and Most Valuable.
For all of his efforts which also included Future Farmers of America, Phil was voted by his teachers and coaches as Astoria High School’s outstanding athlete of the year.
Upon graduation, Phil attended Lane Community College, where he ran cross country and track for one year, and then transferred to the University of Oregon where he ran on the Duck’s track team from 1988-90.
