Local prep track notes: EV’s Allred excels in discus, javelin
Elisha Allred sees the finish line, and she’s smiling.
“It’s getting down to the wire and you have to produce or your options dwindle,” she said.
Specifically, she’s talking about college options. The bigger the numbers she puts up in the discus and javelin, the more serious the offers for throwing in college.
The University of Idaho and Eastern Washington have been courting Allred lately.
Allred helped lead the Knights to their third Great Northern League title in four years since rejoining the league after a short fling in the Greater Spokane League.
She has the top mark among 2A throwers in the discus at 136 feet, 11 inches – 18 feet farther than her closest competition.
“She’s throwing well,” EV coach Shane Toy said. “She’s had a lot of throws over 140 and 145 in practice. It’s definitely there.”
During warm-up throws at a dual last week, Allred heaved the discus more than 150.
“I have this mental block I’m working on,” she said. “I have a fear of fouling. It’s a difficult one to overcome, but I’m getting there.”
Allred just picked up the javelin again after taking a month off to allow a tender elbow to heal.
“I hurt it in the same spot last summer,” she said. “It’s a specific range of motion. I want to qualify for state and place.”
She has bigger aspirations in the discus. She placed third in the event as a sophomore and junior.
Allred attributes her improvement to her coach, Chuck Dunning.
“He explains things in ways that we can understand and befriends us and knows what he’s talking about,” Allred said.
The work has paid off for Allred.
“I’m seeing the fruits of my labor,” she said. “I’m capable of so much better. It would be great to be at the top of the (awards) podium and say I’m the best in the state. That would be a huge accomplishment for me.”
Eagles have landed
The West Valley boys defeated East Valley last week to capture the GNL championship. It was WV’s first title since 2008.
It’s an appropriate reward for a group of talented Eagles, most of whom are juniors or younger.
“We knew coming into the season what we had and that they could be GNL champs,” WV coach Vic Wallace said. “The kids have been focused all year.”
The Eagles have depth in their strong events. In the sprints they have Tevin Duke and Zech Herford. In the hurdles they feature Marcus Jackson and Mac Baxter. In the pole vault they throw Brendon Algeier and Josh Miller at teams.
WV has the top 400-meter relay time in Eastern Washington at 43.23 seconds – .18 faster than the top time in the Greater Spokane League. Duke and Herford are both on the relay.
Home stretch begins
The District 8 4A and 3A meets are today and Friday at Spokane Falls Community College.
Action begins today at 3 with prelims in sprint events and a handful of field events going until about 8. Finals will be held in the 400 relay and 3,200.
The meet resumes Friday at 5 with the balance of the field events and running finals, concluding about 9.
In 4A, the Mead, Central Valley and Ferris boys will battle for the district title while Mt. Spokane is the runaway favorite in 3A in the boys and girls. In 4A girls, CV, the league champ, should prevail without any difficulty.
The athletes will likely face the warmest weather they’ve had all spring today.
“It’s always a little interesting when you get a warm-up like this, but we know that regionals next week in Pasco is going to be even hotter,” CV girls coach Geoff Arte said. “I’m glad we get this week to try and acclimate rather than going down there and fighting for state berths without having had a chance to compete in heat like this.”
Noteworthy
The Mt. Spokane girls 800 relay zipped to 1:43.19 last week and ranks first in all classifications. … Coeur d’Alene sprinter Victoria Goetz ran 57.89 in the 400 at regionals. … Zion Stuffle of Lewiston has not only the top time in Idaho in the 300 hurdles, it would be best in Washington at 37.70. … Kaitlin Krouse of Chewelah improved to 39-4 in the shot and 134-5 in the discus. … Shevaun Ames of Lewiston ran 5:09.72 in the 1,600.