Ellensburg Sprinter Makes History At Pasco Invitational

Instead of the buzz that usually accompanies anticipation, there was total silence.

Instead of a roar, there was a gasp.

Instead of a race, there was Ja’Warren Hooker making history.

The Ellensburg senior ran the fastest 100 meters in Washington high school history - a smooth 10.44-second burst into a 2.5 mile per hour headwind - Saturday afternoon at the 36th annual Pasco Invitational Track Meet.

“There is some pressure to run and make everyone happy,” Hooker said. “But mostly I run for myself. I don’t really set goals for time. If I come in and run well, that’s good enough for me.”

It wasn’t until the announcer made the time official that the large crowd, which seemed to freeze before the race and then suck the air out of Edgar Brown Stadium as Hooker roared down the straightaway, erupted.

Hooker, who had set the state 100 record two weeks ago (10.53) and did the same in the 200 last week (21.2), was named Male Athlete of the Meet.

While Hooker was breaking two meet records, Cascade senior Megan Franza was trying to see how much hardware she could haul home to Leavenworth. Franza, who will join Hooker at the University of Washington next year and also make track her secondary sport, won three events and placed second in a fourth to earn Female Athlete of the Meet.

She was second in the long jump, 4 inches behind friend and rival Jill Pimley of Goldendale who went 17 feet-9-1/4 inches. However, she warmed up to win the 100- and 300-meter hurdles (15.36 and 45.17, respectively) and the high jump (5-9).

“Today was an overall good day,” Franza said, before heading to Spokane for a basketball tournament. “I was a little off in the long jump. The high jump was good, but I wish I could have made 6 feet.”

Mead sophomore Casey Clark matched his state-leading 6-8 to win the boy’s high jump and lead the Panthers to the team title. Mead scored 55 points to 32 for Curtis. The Panthers also won the distance relay.

The Greater Spokane League - make that Ferris - had two other champions, both in the 1,600. Issac Hawkins won the boys race in 4:15.78 and Jennifer Smith won the girls in 4:58.22, both state bests.

The Frontier League also had two winners, Vinnie Pecht of West Valley in the discus (181-5) and Ricardo Colon of Pullman in the long jump (22-2-1/4).

The Mead girls were fourth in the team race behind Kennewick, which beat rival Pasco 53-51 by capturing the closing 1,600 relay.

Still, it was the Hooker-Franza show.

“Two weeks ago, when I ran 10.53, I didn’t have a very good race,” Hooker said. “I was looking forward to this meet.”

His start two weeks ago was terrible and even this time, although he looked good out of the blocks, he wasn’t satisified.

“I’m a little upset because any time I run the 100 there’s always a little thing that keeps me from running the perfect race,” he said.

Hooker won the sprint triple crown last year when he added the 400 to the 100 and 200 titles he won as a sophomore.

“I’m beginning to like the 400,” said Hooker, who has a football scholarship, “but I love the 100. I’ve been running it ever since eighth grade. I’ve kind of become one with it. It’s just a lot of fun.”

Franza prefers a scorching hot day to the dreary, overcast “runner’s day” that greeted her in Pasco.

“I just love the huge meets, this is awesome,” said Franza. “You can look to the side and see some amazing athletes doing something great.”

Still, she is ready to slow down and concentrate on basketball.

“Right now I’m excited this is the last year,” she said. “It’s getting to be repetitive. But it’s also sad, it’s been such a good experience. Basketball is my No. 1 choice but I’ll do the high jump for enjoyment. I would hate myself if I didn’t try.”

, DataTimes