Springdale’S Klemish On Time When It Counts

B track and field

Springdale distance runner Jesse Klemish was late arriving to the State B track meet in Cheney on Friday.

But his stunning charge got the Chargers senior to the 1,600-meter finish on time.

Klemish made up 15 meters on the final straightaway to nose out Pateros’ Nate Carlson in a 10-second personal best for the first state title of any kind in Springdale school history.

His was one of four titles by area Class B performers on the meet’s first day.

Davenport’s first-year shot putter, Chris Pauls, also capped an amazing season with a 1-foot personal record for his surprise win.

Ritzville sophomore Brett Pflugrath nudged Waterville’s Kellen Biggar in the high jump.

And Garfield-Palouse jumper Katie Coles, despite a nagging yearlong injury, won the triple jump over Tekoa-Oakesdale rival Betsy Smart.

They were among 27 medal winners won by District 7 and 9 athletes.

The bulk of the 35-event competition takes place today beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Boys

Klemish arrived at Woodward Stadium to warm up just 40 minutes before race time.

“I was late to get to the marshalling area,” he said. “My whole body felt sluggish.”

Carlson forged a lead that, heading into the next-to-last turn, seemed insurmountable. Then Klemish began a furious kick.

“I thought he had me,” said Klemish. “I came into the final 100 meters and couldn’t feel anything. Everything was numb.”

His 4:18.85 victory was just 5.5 seconds slower than the hand-held meet record set in 1989.

Pauls was a baseball player until taking up shotputting this spring. Winning state came as a surprise to him.

“I never even thought about getting first,” he said. “I was just hoping to place.”

His first shot put this spring was 44 feet, and he improved steadily. Pauls hit his career best 50-11 on his second put of the meet and it held up.

Pflugrath, fourth in state a year ago, didn’t reach his season best of 6-5-1/2 in the high jump, but 6-4 proved good enough to relegate Biggar to second place for the second year.

The event was contested during a rain shower, the only blot on a pleasant, if windy, day.

“I think I jumped better in the rain,” said Pflugrath.

Biggar, second last year in the long jump as well, got his title this time by nearly a foot, with a 21-10 leap during the other B boys final.

Girls

Coles injured her groin about this time last year and it has not healed.

It has prevented her from hurdling - she was state 100 meters champion as a sophomore - but not from jumping.

“I’ve kind of had a rough time,” said Coles. “You don’t know how many times this year I’ve only taken one jump in a meet.”

Second to Smart, she popped a 33-9 jump to take the lead in the finals and hit 34-3-1/4 on her final attempt. It was more than a foot less than her best, but into a stiff wind.

“I can’t be disappointed, because I won,” said Coles. “It would have been a lot better if I’d PR’d.”

Willapa Valley’s Whitney Niemcziek, beginning an arduous distance triple, defended her 3,200 title. She goes after the 800 and 1,600 today.

“It’s just reassuring,” she said of the win. “A lot of people who are good, it gets harder and harder when you get older.”

Most colorful champion was Kittitas pole vaulter Carly Goltiani. Her hair was dyed pink and tufted into numerous tight braids. The whole ‘do, she said, took more than 4 hours to accomplish.

It complemented her pink pole, pink shoes and a pink yard flamingo she brought along.

“I don’t even like pink, but it’s my new motif,” the admittedly superstitious Goltiani said.

Clallam Bay’s Emily Dukes beat Selkirk’s Stacy Steelsmith on her last discus throw.

“That’s OK. I’ve got two more years,” said Steelsmith.

Lyle’s Heidi Billette won the javelin in the other B final.