Rogge’S 3 Golds Power Chelan

1A track

Josh Rogge of Chelan fell a half-inch shy of four gold medals Saturday in the State 1A track and field meet.

“I was robbed,” Rogge said laughing, his tongue stopping the same distance shy of his cheek.

Rogge streaked to state titles in the 100 (11.0 seconds), 200 (21.8) and 400 (48.53) as he left several competitors’ tongues dangling from their mouths at Eastern Washington University’s Woodward Stadium.

His gold medals, combined with three other firsts, allowed Chelan to cruise to a state championship, its third in four years.

The Goats came within four points of the century mark as Bellevue Christian (65) finished in the dust stirred up by Rogge and Company. Colfax, which finished in a three-way tie at ninth, was the highest finishing Inland Northwest school.

In the girls meet, King’s of Seattle (93.33) used suffocating depth to ease to its third state title in four years. LaCenter finished second (69) and Laura Widman-led Colfax, seventh, was the highest finishing area team.

Boys

Rogge, who will run at the University of Washington, may not possess Ja’Warren Hooker-type speed. But he’s fast nonetheless.

And he’s looking forward to being on the same team with Hooker. Rogge said he’s been told he’ll be on a 400 relay with Hooker next year.

Now that will be a fast relay.

Rogge leaped 21-5 in the long jump to place second behind Matt Isbell of Bellevue Christian.

“This is the first year I’ve done the long jump so that was just icing on the cake,” Rogge admitted. “Everything went according to plan for myself and the team.”

Rogge finished with a state career record for most points (102) and a meet best (38). He also broke his own meet record in the 400 (old mark was 48.78).

Chelan had most races covered.

Rosario Blanco, a winner the night before in the 1,600, completed a double by taking the 3,200 (9:55.19). Luke Marker won the 110 hurdles (14.96). And Alex Browne prevailed in a tight finish in the 800 (1:57.98), just nipping Colfax’s Mark Brownell.

Kenny Lutz of White Salmon held off Kettle Falls weight ace Tim Gehring in the shot put. Lutz, who did the same in the discus Friday, put the shot 57-2-3/4 on his final throw. Gehring, whose team was honored as academic state champs for the boys, took second with a throw of 56-1/4.

Girls

King’s captured its crown with just one individual champion and one relay title. The majority of points came by way of 13 placers.

Heather Reichmann, who won in the javelin on Friday and had two seconds, earned second Saturday in the discus (128-3). Catherine Kraayeveld of Bellevue Christian won easily with a toss of 147-2.

King’s, led by the foursome of Emy Rutkowski, Lindsey Stewart, Danie Blackmer and Michelle Burk, won the 800 relay (1:46.85).

The standout athlete was LaCenter sprinter Holly Plumlee.

Plumlee captured three golds, winning the 100 (12.66), 200 (25.98) and 400 (58.71).

Sophomore Cassie Sloan of Burbank completed a double in the long distances by winning the 1,600 (5:10.9).

Renee Dunn added a fourth gold medal for LaCenter by winning the triple jump (35-7).

Colfax’s Widman, a two-event winner Friday, finished fifth in the 100 (12.84), her lone event Saturday.