GSL athletes dominate meet

RICHLAND – It was hot at Fran Risch Stadium, but it wasn’t just Mother Nature bringing the heat.

Greater Spokane League athletes put on an unprecedented show of power in the Eastern 4A regional track and field meet that concluded on Saturday.

The boys and girls combined to snag 66 of 105 spots at State next weekend at Pasco, winning 25 of 35 events. The boys were particularly dominant, getting two-thirds of the 51 state berths and winning 14 of 17 events.

The only time the GSL had a bigger advantage over its Columbia Basin League rivals was in 2004 when the top four qualified for state. The GSL was plus 30 that year when the boys were plus 24, so this year’s spread of 27, when only the top three move on, is more impressive.

Making it even more-so is the way the GSL dominated the speed events, long the strong-suit of the CBL.

Zach Robinson of Lewis and Clark and Jordan Carlson of Shadle Park each brought the heat on the 98-degree day, winning the 100- and 200-meter dashes. They also anchored a winning relay.

Mead edged league rival Central Valley 106-104 1/2 for the boys title, with Lewis and Clark finishing third. Richland used its depth to easily take the girls title with 140 points, but the next four schools were from Spokane, led by Shadle Park with 91.

Boys

Robinson, who helped the Tigers win the 400 relay on Friday, started his day by winning the 100 (11.18 seconds). He was most pleased, though, with the 200 (22.64).

“This is my first year doing the 200,” the junior said. “It’s nice to see I’m a multi-talented athlete instead of just a quick 100 guy. It’s nice to see the hard work pay off.”

Mead picked up a pair of big wins – junior Justin Graff in his seemingly weekly javelin showdown with LC’s Joe Zimmerman and University’s Wes Nolen, and sophomore high jumper Anthony Maricich, who tied for the state lead by clearing 6-8.

“It just clicked today,” Maricich said after narrowly missing at 6-10. “The team was here and it felt good having everyone cheering me on. Going into this I didn’t think I’d do that well.”

Two things were different. The weather was the best of the season, which meant he wasn’t constantly taking off and putting on clothes. Also, he didn’t out-think himself.

“I’m one of those guys that thinks a lot, I don’t clear my mind,” Maricich admitted. “I always felt I jumped good in crappy weather and if I cleared my mind I’d be able to jump higher. Today is the first time I cleared my mind and the first time we had good weather. I don’t know which one made the difference.”

Graff winged the javelin 192 feet on his first throw, then watched Nolen let an estimated 202-footer slip out of the sector for a foul. Zimmerman, the state leader, never got untracked and Nolen came up 8 inches short on his best legal throw.

“We kind of joke about (whose turn to win),” Graff said of the friendly rivalry. “It’s a toss-up, you never know what’s going to happen. I threw as far as I have all season.”

The GSL was blanked in the discus on Friday, but swept all three berths in the 1,600, 3,200, pole vault and javelin.

Girls

Carlson, who has kind of been the poster child for the Highlanders’ injury-plagued season, was delighted after her day, which included a rare win in a highly contested 100.

“At 50 meters I was in last place,” she said. “I was scared I wouldn’t make state. I decided to relax, do what the coaches always tell me. Apparently I have a burst of acceleration.”

The 100 (12.59) and 200 (25.3) were impressive, but then she brought the Highlanders home in a state-best 3:55.60 in the 1,600 relay, retaking the lead from Mead (3:57.54).

“I’ve faced a lot of adversity this year,” Carlson said. “I came into this meet knowing I wasn’t 100 percent, but I was going to go 100 percent.”

There was no happier winner than Gonzaga Prep junior Anna-Marie Johnson.

“I have no idea where that came from,” she said after tossing the discus 124-9, a 61/2-foot PR. “I was surprised, usually when I PR it’s by a foot or two.”

What made the win more unusual is she reached that mark on her second throw and then had four fouls. She credited a week of intense, individual practice.

“I think I could do better,” she aid. “I’d like to go 130 at state.”

The GSL was blanked in the 800 but swept the 200, 1,600 relay, high jump and javelin.