PASCO — A little stutter step down the backstretch of the 300 intermediate hurdles race at Star Track XXI slowed down Kolby Hoover just enough to move the North Kitsap track star from the front to finish in the middle of the pack.

“Coming around the last hurdles I was in first,” Hoover said after his last preps race. “I probably relaxed too much thinking that I’ve got this. I just tried a little too much on the next-to-last hurdle.”

Hoover had a lead coming around the corner with Kentridge junior James Frederickson, Auburn Riverside junior Jay Komar and Kamiakin senior Brandon Wilson a step behind.

Then with his legs and ankle aching like never before this season, the senior Viking wrapped his leg around the next-to-last hurdle after taking one extra step that ruined his rhythm and slowed him up just enough to let the competition pass him by.

“After that, all I wanted was a strong finish,” Hoover said. “My leg just gave out. My ankle (for unknown reasons) has been getting worse and worse this week. It’s been hurting all year and now I can get it checked out now that I’m done.”

Frederickson, who passed Hoover on the final hurdle at the district meet May 24 at Lincoln Bowl, took first in 37.76 seconds. Hoover, who started out in Lane 7, medaled with a fourth-place finish of 38.35. He was hoping that he could break through the 37 second barrier — something that continues to elude him.

“That was the second time I’ve tripped and missed 37 seconds,” he said, adding that his best preps time is 38.07. “I knew I could have done better — that’s the only thing that irritates

me.”

Hoover also competed in the 110 high hurdles, an event he admits isn’t his best, and missed the finals with a seventh-place finish in his preliminary heat in 15.32.

Frederickson won his second first-place medal in the 110, running a 14.45 in the finals.