Brothers Cameron and Tucker Downing, representing Olympia High School, completed their 2025 track season with both finishing in the top 10 at the 4A State Championship in javelin. Cameron finished second and his younger brother, Tucker, placed sixth at the 2A, 3A and 4A WIAA state final meet held in Tacoma on May 29, 2025.
Cameron, who is a senior, placed second at State with a throw of 183-feet, 7-inches missing the top of the podium by 4-feet, 3-inches. The second-place podium award completed a stellar career including a state title from his sophomore year and a third-place finish last year.
Tucker, a sophomore, placed sixth with a throw of 172-feet, 11-inches.
For Cameron his journey with the javelin has included success and challenges along with opportunities to grow in his sport. Cameron was grateful to have had a team of people who helped him with his successful career. He recently accepted an invitation to join the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, where he will continue his career in javelin.
“I never thought I would be throwing the javelin until all of a sudden I was and then I was able to find some success,” Cameron stated. “It’s been a fun quest to be better every day through the constant ups and downs. It’s been super fun to throw with Tuck and I have learned some great lessons including that injuries aren’t the end and are just opportunities for growth. That lesson helped me overcome an ACL tear two weeks after winning the state championship.”
Tucker hopes to continue to improve and was grateful for the opportunity to throw and compete with his brother. “I think just staying consistent and putting in the work to get better every single day has got me to where I am today,” stated Tucker. “The biggest thing I have learned throwing the javelin is that if you put in the work to be the best you can do, you can get to where you want to. Sometimes it feels like javelin is tough and sometimes jav doesn’t go my way, but if I keep working, things will eventually go the way I want it.”
Cameron and Tucker also played on the same teams during football and basketball season.
Both Cameron and Tucker recognized the unique opportunity to train and compete together. “I am very thankful to be able to have thrown with Cameron because he has taught me almost all of what I know and he really brought me into throwing the javelin,” Tucker said. “It amazes me to watch Cam throw and that encourages me to be better. Having Cameron push me to be better and teach me the things has brought me to where I am today.”
There are two other Downing brothers – older brother Gabe, who is a quarterback at Portland State, and youngest Eli, who will attend Olympia High School in the fall of 2025.
