Cochran takes silver

Ethan Cochran didn’t start out too well at the International Assn. of Athletics Federations World Youth Track and Field Championships, but he finished strong.

The Newport Harbor High senior-to-be won the silver medal in the discus, earning second place in the discus event in Lille, France Wednesday.

In the morning, he had two no-throws and qualified for the finals with a mark of 57.13 meters, which is 187 feet, 5 inches.

But in the finals, Cochran unleashed his personal best, 61.37 meters, which is 201 feet, 4 inches. His previous best was 195-4. That was when he won the CIF Southern Section Division II title. He also captured the CIF state title and he won the trip to France by becoming the U.S. champion at the World Youth Trials in Myrtle Beach, S.C. June 29.

He had a mark of 190-10 when he won the national title. Cochran was also the Sunset League and Golden West Invitational champion.

Becoming the world champion against athletes 16 and 17 (born in 1994 or 1995) just couldn’t happen. Not against Jamaican Fedrick Dacres, the champion. He dominated throughout and finished with a personal-best 67.05 meters, which is just under 220 feet.

South Africa’s Gerhard de Beer finished third at 60.63 meters, which is 198 feet, 11 inches.

— From staff reports