Track and field: Early on a sun-kissed Saturday in Pasco the crowd at Edgar Brown Stadium was buzzing.

Derek Eager of Tahoma, who had set the state record in the javelin early this year, shattered his mark by more than 10 feet with a throw of 229 feet, 5 inches.

That seemed to be a challenge for everyone and area athletes stepped up, winning eight individual events with eight seconds and eight thirds to go with the Mead boys’ 11th team title.

The Mead girls got a pair of meet records – Tasha Clark in the pole vault and Baylee Mires (above) in the 800 meters, with Mires also getting the 1,600 to earn Outstanding Female Athlete.

Ben Johnston became the first North Central runner to break 9 minutes in the 3,200. Story, page C5

Pletcher horse wins again

Horse racing: Jockey Robby Albarado took a glimpse at the tote board moments before heading into the starting gate.

Albarado couldn’t figure out why Exhi, who won his last start at the Rushaway Stakes and is trained by Todd Pletcher, was a 20-1 long shot for the $300,000 Lexington (Ky.) Stakes.

“I was like, ‘Wow, somebody’s missing something here, I’m missing something,’ ” Albarado said.

Exhi raced to the lead then held off a late bid by Bushwhacked.

Associated Press

Volcano disrupts sporting events

European sports: The volcanic ash plume drifting over Europe from Iceland is threatening next week’s Champions and Europa league semifinals.

With flights canceled across the continent soccer teams have scrambled with travel arrangements. The disruptions extend to cycling, the Boston Marathon and pro wrestling.

Associated Press