Titans Return In Style First Varsity Track Meet At U-Hi In 21 Years Is Big Success For Home Squad

University High School might be a good place to be in four weeks.

That’s when the Titans meet Mead in the final Greater Spokane League track meet.

We’re not suggesting Mead won’t use that occasion to win its 150th straight dual meet in boys competition or the girls won’t secure their fifth straight league title. It should be, however, a lot nicer day than it was Thursday when the GSL opened its dual-meet season. And, if it is, it’s hard to imagine what kind of numbers might be posted.

During the first varsity meet at University in 21 years, a biting wind blew into the face of runners on the home stretch, which hindered everyone but the 100-meter runners, who went with the wind.

The runners didn’t flinch.

Jennifer Smith of Ferris ran the fastest times of the year in the 1,600 (5 minutes, 4.4 seconds) and 3,200 (10:58.5). On the other end, Central Valley’s Leslie Meredith ran the quickest 100 (12.3). In between, CV’s Whitney Schmaljohn had the fastest 300 hurdles (47.5).

Even more boys blistered the new track. Make that the U-Hi boys.

The Titans’ stable of sprinters posted fast times in the 100 (10.9 by Anthony Buchanan), 200 (22.8 by Jason Berger), 400 (51.0 by Berger) and 300 hurdles (40.1 by Tim Buchanan), and proved their state-best time of 42.2 in the 400 relay (add in Mike Turner) was no fluke by going 42.6.

“We’re pretty legit on the track,” U-Hi coach Kevin Franzen said. “Our relay team is real. Those are not great handoffs yet. That’s encouraging. We’ll be a little more than fair this year.”

Franzen was a sophomore in 1976 - the last time there was a varsity meet at U-Hi.

The Titans made the return memorable, sweeping CV and Ferris handily.

The girls side was also memorable, with CV winning the last two relays to forge a tie with U-Hi.

“Yeah, I’m smiling. It’s not a loss,” CV coach Dennis McGuire said. “They performed above and beyond. Girls PR’d all over the place. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

University coach Steve Llewellyn was almost as pleased.

“I would rather have won, but I figured it to be close,” he said. “There were some events we upset them and some they upset us. It kind of balanced out. I’m not dissatisfied. I’m more into good performances by kids than winning.”

At Mead, the Panthers swept North Central and Rogers in both the boys and girls meets. At Hart Field, Shadle Park’s boys and girls swept LC and Rogers.

Schmaljohn anchored CV’s 1,600 relay a few minutes after running leadoff for the 800 relay. Besides winning the 300 hurdles, she anchored the winning 400 relay.

“It wasn’t really my choice,” Schmaljohn said. “Coach wanted to beat U-Hi. I wasn’t as nervous since I ran all relays. It was nice.”

Schmaljohn plans to run the 100 and the 1,600 relay at the end of the season. A second relay and another open race are being pondered. As a rookie in the hurdles, she hasn’t decided if that’s better than the 400.

“I’m thinking (the hurdles) are hard,” she said. “Once I get my form down and get over being scared, I hope to be in the 44’s.”

Before Schmaljohn’s heroics, Taraka Campbell and Kelly Kearsley were the stars for U-Hi. They needed to go 1-2 (ahead of any CV runner) in the 3,200 for the tie.

“The pressure helped,” Campbell said. “I knew what I had to do.”

Although well behind Smith and Jill Johnson of Ferris, Campbell and Kearsley pulled away midway through the race to put the pressure on the CV relays.

“I pick out certain places on the track I surge,” Campbell said. “All those combined helped me pull ahead. (A tie) is not nearly as good as a win, but I’m happy.”

U-Hi pole vaulter Cody Hirshi was also happy after earning a new pole by clearing 14 feet.

“That ties my PR and the school record I have,” Hirshi said. “I could be happier. I was semi-close (to 14-3). I cleared 14-3 on my 14-foot vault. That’s pretty good for early on.”

He’s getting enough bend on his current pole to move to a 16-foot pole.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Color Photos

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Thursday’s stars Girls Leslie Meredith, CV, 12.3 100 Jennifer Smith, Ferris, 1,600-3,200 sweep Mead 400 relay team (Horstein, Simchuck, Wakefield, Gemmil) 50.0. Boys Jason Berger, U-Hi, 200-400 sweep Scott McGlocklin, Mead, 57-1 shot put Tim Buchanan, U-Hi, 40.1 300 hurdles