ATHLETES OF THE WEEK: NATHEN KING

Nathen King

School: Kelly

Sport: Track

Coach: Bill Davis

Week report: King, a senior, improved his personal-best time in the 1,600-meter (the metric equivalent of the mile) run with a time of 4:45 in a five-team home meet last week. He also took first place in the 800 in both the Kelly meet and the Jackson Invitational which features athletes from several large schools. Neither of his 800 times -- 2:06 at Jackson and 2:12 at Kelly -- beat his personal-best time of 2:02.6. Also in the home meet at Kelly, King was part of the winning 4 X 800 and the 4 X 400 relay teams.

Season report: King, who ran the anchor leg on the 4 X 800 team that took third in state last year, is undefeated in the 800 so far this season.

Coach's comments: "He's been very successful," Davis said. "I think his teammate Lucas Choate has really pushed him (in the mile). They really complement each other well. One will win one day and the other win on the other. (King) is a very dependable kid and an excellent leader. He runs the anchor leg on both 4X400 and 4X800 and if you give the baton to him close enough to someone, he'll usually catch him. He's got a good a chance in the 800 this year in state."