Hopkins makes Titan Hall of Fame

State track tournaments can bring out the best in athletes, and last weekend was no exception in five separate meets.

In the case of University shot putter Josh Hopkins, incentive came in the form of one last chance to join the Titan Hall of Fame.

“Before he left for state he asked, ‘What do I have to do to get into the Hall of Fame?’ ” said activities coordinator Ken VanSickle. “His last chance was to be in the top eight at state.”

In order to be in the Hall of Fame a person must earn at least seven letters beginning as a sophomore – “it forces them to be a three-sport athlete,” said VanSickle – or shine in postseason. Hopkins was a four-year track and field and three-year varsity football line letterman, but one letter short. He hadn’t won a district or regional tournament event, thus needing to medal at state.

Last weekend in Pasco, the popular 6-foot-5, 290-pound Hopkins – who this spring won the school’s annual “Mr. University” contest – earned his spot with places to spare, finishing second at 54-6 3/4, nearly two feet farther than he had thrown before.

“I guess I really wanted to be in the Titan Hall of Fame,” said Hopkins. “I just kind of figured if I was going out to go out in style.”

Hopkins was ranked ninth coming into state and in the first flight at state for the eight athletes with the lowest district marks.

“The guy before me had a 53-footer and I figured the second flight would all be 54 to 55 feet so I figured I had to be first in my flight to have a remote chance of making the finals,” said Hopkins.

He unloaded his career best throw on his second attempt, crediting an adjustment in his throwing technique last week by coach Bill Berg with adding the distance.

Hopkins said that this was likely his final athletic endeavor as he prepares for college.

“It kind of was special to have it end this way,” he said.

There were other spectacular efforts as well, including Titan Wes Nolen‘s second-place, back-and-forth school record (and for a brief time meet record) 206-11 javelin throw.

“It was almost more miraculous,” said VanSickle.

Wednesday before the meet Nolen was in the hospital, feared to have appendicitis. It turned out to be a kidney stone and in Pasco he was involved in one of the most stirring javelin competitions in memory.

Brad Whitley, Central Valley’s junior three-sport standout, was part of two school records. He finished third in the 800 in 1:54.41, just .2 away from a title. And he anchored the state champion 1,600 relay team in a school record 3:20.45.

“To tell the truth, the way he was training and plan we had we figured the last two weeks he’d be able to break out good races,” said coach Chuck Bowden. “He was disappointed because he got boxed in a bit and couldn’t make a dead sprint for (the win). He brought his toughness in the (relay) anchor leg and that’s what won it for us.”

It was a bittersweet ending for CV, which had figured to make a run for the title, Bowden said. Neither of his pole vaulters made state after breaking poles, and in the case of Conrad Malinak, his wrist last week after qualifying for the meet.

“I’m not disappointed in the kids,” said Bowden, who told them you can’t control the weather or freak things that happen. “But at the same time, what have we done not to get a break.”

•East Valley brought home two 3A championships, Case Parker capping his remarkable sprint career with a 48.65 400-meter win and hurdler Lori Bourgeous scoring the 100-meter race in 14.78. Both set school records, Parker racing 48.62 in the prelims.

•What might West Valley standout Melissa Mauro‘s career have been had she not torn a knee ligament practically before it began? The three-sport, state-qualifying standout offered a glimpse in her final track meet in Tacoma when she high jumped 5-7 ¼ , a school record envisioned for her back in eighth grade, raced 45.19 in the 300 hurdles in bringing home two more State 2A titles. Ashley Kenney got the discus title at 146-11 and WV’s boys 1,600 relay team brought home a championship as well.

•Freeman sent 14 athletes to the State 1A track meet and all 14 medaled. Melanie Frankart won the discus in Tacoma at 115-4 and the 800 relay team of Stephanie Barrong, Talia Neiman, Terra Poirier and Taylor Naber set a school record 1:49.8.

•Valley Christian’s Jeff Pope added two more state titles to his cross country championship last fall. He won the State 2B 800 at Eastern Washington University in 1:58.46 and 1,600 in 4:28.9.

Freeman baseball third

The Freeman Scotties drew a tough opener in the State 1A baseball finals last weekend, losing 13-2 to eventual champion Rochester, but rebounded for third place in its first trip to the final four.

The Scotties (who finished a school record 22-2) were limited to four hits and committed five errors in Friday’s semifinal game, but bounced back the next day for a 4-3 win over Naches Valley. Abe Mega pitched a three-hitter and picked off a runner at third in the seventh with the game on the line.

Freeman scored twice in the sixth on a double by Jake Sullivan and singles by Chris Miller and Jacob Kitterman.

CV softball at state

Central Valley’s state softball tournament stay was brief, losing 5-1 to Stadium and 2-0 to Marysville-Pilchuck, but with 11 players returning, the Bears can’t be faulted for thinking, “wait until next year.”

“The first game came down to a big play at third,” said coach Jeff VanHorne, when the runner was called safe on what could have been a double play.

The next batter tripled in two runs.

Game two was anybody’s, the Bears unable to score after putting two batters on with no one out.

“The girls played hard,” said VanHorne. “They have nothing to hang their heads about. They were at state and accomplished a lot.”

• West Valley lost 2-0 to eventual second-place finisher Burlington-Edison and 10-1 to Steilacoom at the 2A tournament. Freeman won one of three games in 1A, losing 3-0 to Cedar Park Christian, winning 6-1 over River View and losing to regional nemesis Chelan 10-1. Liberty was a final six 2B finisher, winning three straight after a tournament opening loss. The Lancers were beaten 2-1 by PeEll to just missing earning a trophy.

Golfers make cut

University sophomore Kaitlen Parsons finished fourth in the State 4A golf tournament last week with rounds of 79 and 78. She was one of 10 Valley golfers to make the cut during the various tournaments.

Freeman’s Darby Moberg placed seventh and Dylan Maine 12th in 1A girls and boys.

Other top 20 finishers were U-Hi’s Hank Frame, 15th, and CV’s Sean Mitchell, 20th, in boys 4A, WV’s Jordyn Sodorff, 16th in girls 2A and Freeman’s Max Riggs, 18th in boys 1A. The Scotties boys finished third in team competition.