In the fast lane

The Lewis and Clark girls track coaches wanted freshman standout Anna Rodgers to be as fresh as possible in her open events.

Rodgers ranks among the best in the state in the 100- and 200-meter races, and she ranks first in the long jump.

So the Tigers had to choose between the 400 and 800 relays.

LC assistant coach Falesha Ankton took Rodgers out of the 400 relay at district last week, replacing her with Olivia Ellis.

Ellis, her sister, Grace, Maya LeBar and Isabella Millsap ran together for the first time last week, finishing second behind Central Valley.

After a week of practice, LC turned the tables Friday afternoon during the first day of the 4A Regional at Spokane Falls Community College.

The Tigers combined to vault past CV for the best time in the state, winning in 48.15 seconds. CV took second (48.69).

Five finals, two on the track, were decided Friday in 4A and 3A. The balance of the events will be decided today, beginning at 10:30 with field events and running finals 30 minutes later.

The top two finishers in each event advance to state next week in Tacoma.

It was a tad humid before dusk fell. The meet was delayed 30 minutes after lightning was seen in the area.

4A

Millsap said the Tigers put in extra work this week.

“We’ve been working on our handoffs this week and we finally got them down,” said Millsap, who runs the third leg of the relay and handed off to anchor Olivia Ellis.

“Our handoffs have been holding us back. Everybody ran their leg well.”

“At district our handoffs were iffy,” Ankton added. “We felt by moving Anna out it would give her a chance to nail her open events. We’ve had great depth in our sprints and relays. It’s been a blessing.”

Rodgers won the long jump with a leap of 18 feet, 9½ inches. Her 19-1 at the Pasco Invite in mid-April ranks first in the state.

Four of Rodgers’ jumps were over 18. Her shortest jump was 17-7 ½.

Rodgers will run the 100 and 200 today, and she will anchor the 800 relay. LC has the top time in the state (1:41.56), .39 ahead of second-ranked CV.

In the boys, Ferris leads with 45 points followed by Richland (40).

In the girls, Walla Walla (55) has a 10-point lead over CV.

The boys 3,200 final had four start the final lap in a bunch. Mead’s Corbin Carlton started his kick with 150 meters to go, and he held off Briton Demars of CV. Carlton finished in 9:23.44.

Jalen Hicks of Ferris won the long jump (22-3¾).

Freshman Hailey Christopher of CV led a 1-2 finish in the high jump (5-4½).

3A

The season came to a heartbreaking end for Rogers junior Khalil Winfrey.

One of the top sprinters in the state, Winfrey pulled his right hamstring just a couple of strides into the anchor leg of the 400 relay.

The Pirates’ relay team was in third when Winfrey, who had advanced into today’s final in the 100 earlier, took the baton. Just the top two in each event advance to state next week.

“I got the baton and I knew I had to go catch (the runner in second),” Winfrey said, choking back tears. “I took a couple of steps and I felt it – it was like a shot in the leg.

“I put in so much time. It’s been year-round for me. My goal was to win a state title this year. I’m hurt, I’m disappointed.”

The three-time defending state champ Kamiakin girls piled up 67 points. Hanford is next at 49.

In the boys, Mt. Spokane athletes won four of five titles and have a big lead with 86 points – 58 ahead of second-place North Central.

John Dressel led Mt. Spokane, edging Tanner Anderson of NC in the 3,200. Dressel won in a time of 9:03.36, .08 seconds ahead of Anderson.

With 200 meters to go, Dressel made his move. But Anderson seemingly pulled even with 50 remaining. That’s when Dressel found a final gear.

“I expected him to come back because it’s happened in previous races this season,” Dressel said. “I could see his shadow coming up on me in the (stadium lights). I just stayed patient and kept revving it up and revving it up. When he came neck and neck with me, I just had an extra gear and I leaned at the line.”

Mt. Spokane’s Trevor Payne won the discus (160-7). Jacob Krantz, Zach Vogel, David Hipes and Roy Hyatt of Mt. Spokane won the 400 relay (42.84). Mt. Spokane’s other winner was Matt Mehring in the pole vault (13-6).

In the girls, Shadle Park’s Lauren Dunnell won the 3,200 (11:26.87). NC’s Megan Arnold won the javelin by an inch (115-6) over Mt. Spokane’s Emily Stiles.

2A

West Valley’s boys and the Ellensburg girls captured the regional titles at WV. The Eagles finished with 103 points, 10 more than runner-up Selah.

Ellensburg had 124 points and Pullman (106) took second.

The top three in each event earned state berths.

WV’s Mack Baxter cruised to victories in the hurdles, winning the 110 in 14.62 and the 300 in 37.63, a season best by .21. He’s been the overall state leader for more than a month.

Teammate Zechariah Herford won the 100 (10.98). He also helped the Eagles’ 400 (42.28) and 1,600 (3:21.55) relays win. Baxter anchored the 400 relay.

East Valley’s Scott Kopczynski doubled in the 1,600 (4:14.01) and the 3,200 (9:38.96).

In the girls, Angel Nkwonta of Pullman and KD Skillingstad of Cheney each won three events.

Nkwonta won the 100 (12.32), 200 (26.33) and shot put (42-3 ¾) . She also took part in the victorious 400 relay.

Skillingstad won the 100 (14.86) and 300 (44.85) hurdles to go with the triple jump (36-3½).