Vc, Wv Athletes Excel At State Track Meets

Athletes from West Valley High and Valley Christian School got a jump on the rest when it came to state track qualifying.

And in several instances they recorded career bests to do so.

Thursday’s first day of regional track for 3A athletes in Richland produced five Eagle state qualifiers.

Eagle long jumpers Kelly Cole and Dan Ferguson each improved their previous best marks by nearly a foot. Cole won at 17-1-1/4 with Ferguson finishing second 22-1-1/2.

Cole was one of three WV girls to win regional championships. Shannon Groh won the discus at 138-11 and Jenny Gregorak the pole vault at 10-6.

Also reaching state was javelin thrower Amanda Holstrom who threw 126-1, nearly four feet farther than Groh.

Valley Christian School proved there’s no substitute for speed. The Panthers overwhelmed the District B field, winning the boys meet by 50 points and the girls by 27.

Seven boys joined forces to win eight events, place second three times and third in another. They’ll compete at next weekend’s State B meet at Eastern Washington University in Cheney where they finished second a year ago.

Nine girls won six more events, finished second twice and third three times.

“We’ve got so much more than last year,” said coach Linda Lanker.

All told, the Panthers set four meet records, some which stood for as long as 15 years.

Headed to state is Jeremy Hopson who won all three sprints, the 100 meters at 11.1, 200 at 22.7 and 400 at 50.3, a record. He also ran on the 3:29.3 1,600 relay winner.

Jared Evans and Jayvan Eberle in both hurdles and two relays also advanced in four events.

Nate Isaak won the pole vault, ran on the 400 relay that timed 44.4 and cut nearly two seconds off his previous best 300 hurdles time to place third behind his teammates.

Shane King lopped seven seconds off his previous bests at 1,600 and 3,200 meters for school records.

“He went above and beyond,” said Lanker of King’s 4:34.9 and 10:20.4 times.

Joining them at state are Jason King and Misha Fomenko on relays.

“The one disappointment we had was Jason not making it (in the 800 and 1,600),” said Lanker. “He ran decent times and had a huge 1,600 personal record, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

Amy Evans also had a huge day, winning both hurdles and on two winning relay teams.

“She jumped the gun as clear as day in the 300 hurdles, but kept running,” said Lanker. “When she crossed the finish line I said `You just got a major gift from God.”’

Kristen Lanker lowered her 200 meter school record to 27.1 and ran on all three relay champions that set or tied two meet records, with 52.3, 1:51.4 and 4:19.5 times.

Other relay runners are Kati Rosholt, third in the open 400, Carli Smith and Nicole Peterson, who was also third in the long jump, and Krisi Wright, third at 1,600 meters.

Additionally, state placer Tiffany Drozdov will return in the high jump. Stephanie Meyer and Tiffany Stager in the discus, and Kasie Cupp in the javelin are state-bound.

“It was great,” said Linda Lanker. “I’m so proud of all of them. I’m blessed with a team like this.”

Geiger sharp at Painted Hills

Painted Hills Ladies Club golfer Carolyn Geiger has had her share of fine scores.

Last week was no exception when she shot 41 in A flight to lead the weekly field.

Not far behind were B flight golfer Carol Chevalier who shot 45 and no-handicapper Alice Hamilton with 46.

Geiger and Hamilton recorded birdies on the fourth hole.

Other leaders were Ronda Trotter at 52 in C flight and Jan Bontrager with 58 in D.

Net winners were Connie Hatfield, who birdied the sixth, with 30 in A flight, Pat Schlosstein, with 33 in B, Lynda Brautigam with 31 in C and Judith Young with 27 in D.

There were five birdies all told, including ones by Sherrel Roshdy and Debbie Stanley. Chevalier, Daryl Johnston, Lynne Kemmish, Verginia Lemmer, Trish Behrens and Kathy Pryor had chip-ins.

Valley View outing

A full complement of members were present for Valley View Ladies Club’s latest outing.

One of them, Betty Grassl, had birdies on the first and ninth holes.

On the final hole Grassl had shot beyond the green and one of her partners said, “You might as well chip it in,” reported Marge Bratcher.

She did to finish at 49.

Dee Elder shot 46 in A flight, Genevra Barrett and Patsy Angelo had 53s in B and Angie Schauer had 69 in C. No-handicap leaders Joanne Guell and Betty Grassl shot 55.

Net leaders were Deanna Hauser with 32 in A flight, Emma Long 30 in B and Florence Keller 39 in C.

Liberty Lake 9-Hole action

During last week’s medal play among Liberty Lake Ladies 9-Hole club members, Elaine Tai shot 49 to pace A flight golfers.

Joan Rassley shot 55 in B, Angelo had 58 in C and Jean Skredsvig had 68 in D.

Net winners were Nancy Lampe with 32 in A, Cindy Steiner with 31 in B, Joyce Thompson with 32 in C and Wanda McHugo with 39 in D. Reduced field at Hangman

Other golfing commitments for members of the Hangman Valley Ladies Club limited the field for its weekly outing.

Jackie Shea shot 89 and Fran Nord netted 72 in the combined A-B group.

Ellen Boudewyns shot 97 while Delores Bridwell and Marian Pearson shared net honors with 78.