Al-Hassan defends title

TACOMA – Nina Al-Hassan flashed a smile only a defending state champ could sport.

The Pullman senior hurdler captured back-to-back state championships in the State 2A 300-meter hurdles Saturday, finishing in a time of 45.9 seconds as Star Track XXVIII concluded at Mt. Tahoma High School.

Al-Hassan’s victory helped the Greyhounds secure fourth with 35 points. Sehome captured the team title with 68. Cheney finished six points out of a trophy, tied with Sequim.

“It was OK, better than I’ve been running lately,” said Al-Hassan, who is headed to run hurdles at Brown University. “It was close to my season PR (45.24), but not anywhere near my lifetime PR.”

That was largely because of a stiff headwind athletes encountered in the final 100 meters. At least they were spared a third day of rain.

Al-Hassan didn’t try to hide her glee.

“I was so glad I was able to come away with a championship,” she said.

Al-Hassan was the lone Great Northern League female state champion and just second overall.

The Cheney girls came away with runner-up finishes in the 800 and 1,600 relays.

In the 800 relay, Briana Estrellado, Janessa Day, Shelby Maurer and Shaley Ham combined in a time of 1:47.08. Estrellado, Day and Maurer then teamed with Chelsie Breen in the 1,600 (4:01.58), a season best by more than 2 seconds.

Sara Lentz of Colville took second in the discus (128 feet, 7 inches), finishing 4 inches short of gold.

“I’m very happy. It’s a big step from last year,” said Lentz, who didn’t make the finals in the event last year. “It’s a good place to end.”

Other top medal winners Saturday: Freshman Anna Guo of Pullman took third in the long jump (16-1¼); Maurer of Cheney was fourth in the 200 (26.59); Joseph Aubert of West Valley took fourth in the pole vault (13-6); and Cheney freshman Sanne Holland was fifth in the 1,600 (5:13.71) after placing fifth in the 3,200 on Thursday.