‘Gold medals are forever.’ North Salem sophomore DeMari Thompson wins 2 sprint titles at 5A boys championships, promises more of the same next year in 6A
By René Ferrán | Photos by Taylor Balkom
It takes just a few seconds interacting with North Salem sophomore DeMari Thompson to see he has blossomed from a shy freshman to a bold butterfly ready to take on all comers.
But yes, a year ago, Thompson had a freshman mindset when he arrived at the culminating-week Class 5A state meet, finishing sixth in the 100 meters and ninth in the 200.
“That was just a weird season, coming back from COVID and it being a half season,” Thompson said. “And I didn’t perform as well as I could. I was like, I’m seeded here, so I’m going to place here. That was my mindset, but that’s no more.”
His coming-out party came this weekend at the OSAA track and field state championships, and Eugene's Hayward Field proved the perfect canvas.
Thompson roared to victories in the 100 in 10.75 seconds and the 200 in 21.76, with his time in the 100 setting both a meet record and the all-time 5A sophomore record.
Combined with Jordan Koskondy’s victory in the girls 100, it marked the first time since 1995 — Benson’s Russell Jackson and Udeme Elijah — that one school had swept the 100-meter titles in either of the top two classifications.
“This was the first time actually having warm weather, so I had to go out there chasing gold, and a record just so happened to come with it,” Thompson said. “Gold medals are forever. Records are just for a little while.”
With one gold medal around his neck, he had only one thought as he exited the tunnel onto the track for the 200 final.
“I’m just speaking positive to myself,” he said. “I’m a champion. I can compete. I’m elite, even though I’m only a sophomore. This is only just the tip of the iceberg for my athletic abilities.”
And Thompson wasn’t shy about laying down the gauntlet for next season, when he and the Vikings will move up to Class 6A and he’ll face the likes of South Medford junior Andrew Walker, also a double-champion Saturday.
“We’re moving up to 6A next year, and it’s going to be no different,” he said. “I’m going to be dominating, absolutely.”
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