Gsl Goes The Distance To Make State

Eastern Regional 4A track

Another race, another new state leader.

Each time the Greater Spokane League elite distance runners step to the starting line, it seems the only way to win is to run the best time in the state.

The Eastern Regional 4A track meet is no exception.

This time it was University’s Max Schmidt, who wrestled the state 1600-meter lead from Shadle Park’s Michael Kiter with a 4-minute, 12.1-second run. Kiter, who ran 4:14.55 for third, had taken the lead from Mt. Spokane’s Cameron Schwehr, who was second in 4:12.44, a week ago.

“I just run it and see how it goes,” Schmidt said. “I take it one race at a time. In this race I just wanted to make state, and obviously I did. At 250 meters I wanted to make a move and it worked out.”

The times at Pasco’s Edgar Brown Stadium were so fast, Andrew Ice of Ferris, who is just getting healthy, advanced to state despite placing fifth. The top four automatically qualify, plus any who meet a state qualifying standard. Ice’s time of 4:16.10 just slipped in. Fourth was Kamiakin’s Matt Topping.

“The three best runners are from the same league,” Schmidt said. “We all want it. We’re all going to push each other to greatness.”

The four GSL runners are all underclassmen and they’ll square off again in the 3,200 this afternoon. The meet resumes at noon.

Boys

The distance race was a highlight of what is the highest quality meet of the year.

Blake Horgan of East Valley led a GSL sweep in the shot put with a put of 56 feet, 1-1/2 inches. Three GSL pole vaulters made it, led by a personal record 15-6 by U-Hi sophomore Tyson Byers. Demetrius Scott had a PR of 22-11 in the long jump to beat Davis standout Taylor Stubble- field in the long jump.

Central Valley’s Tye Scott had a PR of 194-11 in the javelin, only to finish second as Pasco’s Doug Vincent set a meet record of 210-7. Vincent erased the 1994 record of 208-9 by Mead’s Ryan Edington on his third throw after scratching on his first two.

“The weather cooperated, finally,” said Byers. “In practice I’ve been pretty close to 16 feet. I want to at least get the state sophomore record, 15-8 by Casey Carrigan (of Orting) in 1967.”

The key, he said, was “getting on a new stick,” and “taking my eye off the bar.” Looking at the bar draws a vaulter into it.

“It makes you curl over it instead of flying over it,” Byers said.

Anthony Buchanan of University broke his regional record in the 100 with a 10.45 run. He also just missed the 200 record with a 21.65 and he anchored the Titans’ 400 relay team to a state berth.

Girls

Only once in the first six regionals has the GSL sent more girls to state than the Big Nine. This year is following form. With five finals and 20 state qualifiers, the GSL has just five.

The only winner was Heather Harding of Central Valley, who had a season-best 130-2 in the discus.

“It’s kind of reassuring,” said Harding, who prefers the shot put. “Now I can go in tomorrow knowing I’m going to state in one event. It takes the pressure off. It helps too that it’s not my main event. If I make it, whoopee.”

District 7 2A

Pullman sprinted to the team titles in the Great Northern League state qualifying meet at Whitworth.

The Greyhound girls scored 170 points, highlighted by sweeping all three relays. Riverside, behind Katie Prichard’s three wins, was second with 114 points.

Prichard, who won the 3,200 on Tuesday, added the 800 (2:14.4), the event she won at state last year as a freshman, and 1,600 (5:23.1).

Adrianne Traylor of Medical Lake had a big win in the shot put with a throw of 40 feet, 9 inches.

The Greyhound boys were just as dominant in the sprints as the girls, sweeping the top three places in the 100 to score 136 points. Newport was second with 129.

J.J. Johnson of Newport won the 110 (15.4) and 300 (40.0) hurdles and also made state in the high jump.