Panther breaks coveted record

It came down to her final Greater Spokane League dual, and Courtney Hutchinson of Mead finally got what she’s wanted for two years.

Talk about a dramatic ending. Hutchinson has been chasing the league record for the shot put, which was set in 1989 by Dory Reeves of Lewis and Clark.

Hutchinson came within a half-inch last year. But when she changed her practice routine this year, desiring to peak later than she did a year ago, she knew she’d have to be patient.

Patience paid off last week when on her first throw she put the shot 47 feet, 7 inches – breaking Reeves’ mark by an inch and a half.

“I was really calm and ready for anything to happen,” Hutchinson said. “I wasn’t stressing or anything. If I have a lot of nerves that’s not good.”

Hutchinson has been consistent all year. That throw is her season best. She had her season best last year in early April.

So because she didn’t want to repeat history, Hutchinson changed things this spring.

“I peaked so early last year and I was never able to get back to where I wanted to be.”

She kept telling herself that if she didn’t hit a big throw that the big throw would eventually come.

This week she begins to taper as the postseason begins.

“I think my body will be a lot more ready for a big throw,” she said. “I’ve been doing a lot of weightlifting – high volume, low reps.”

She wants to get two more records – the district mark (46-5 1/2), also set by Reeves in 1989 and the state meet record (47-3) set by Whitney Hooks of Cascade in 2006.

“I feel like I have something bigger left,” she said. “If I keep up the consistency I’ll be happy with what I end up with.”

Worth celebrating

Greater Spokane League and Great Northern League boys and girls championships were secured last week.

In GSL boys, nothing says dominant more than Mead, which captured its sixth straight title and 29th out of 37 overall.

In GSL girls, defending champ Central Valley finished in a three-way tie with Lewis and Clark and Mt. Spokane.

In GNL girls, East Valley finished undefeated after being picked to finish fourth.

In GNL boys, Deer Park defended its title.

Postseason begins

The chase for state berths begins in earnest today in Eastern Washington and in North Idaho this weekend.

The District 8 4A and 3A meets will be begin this afternoon and conclude Friday at Spokane Falls Community College.

The District 7 2A meet is today and Friday at West Valley.

The District 7 1A meet is Saturday at Newport.

In North Idaho, the 5A and 4A Region I meets are Friday and Saturday at Lewiston.

The 3A District I meet is Friday and Saturday at Timberlake.

Finish lines

Talk about competition within a team. Take a look at the Ferris boys’ triple-jumpers. Three Saxons have cleared 45 feet.

Isaiah Troutt leads the trio (45-5 1/2) and he’s followed by Jalen Hicks (45-1 1/2) and Alex Tullos (45-0).

• Mead’s boys are heavily favored to capture the District 8 4A championship but it should be quite the chase in the 4A girls.

Defending champ CV is favored but Lewis and Clark hopes to challenge.

Mt. Spokane’s boys and girls are heavily favored in 3A.

• The Eastern District hammer championships were held last Sunday at CV and Bears’ female state leader Katie Wardsworth prevailed, breaking her meet record with a throw of 140-5. Sam Baker of Mead was second.

In the boys, Hunter Wardian of CV won (153-11) and Hayden Wolrehammer was second (126-1).