Prep track: Mead boys, CV girls dominate district; Mead hurdler Conley breaks longtime record

After the way she ran in her preliminary heat Thursday, Zella Conley figured she had a chance at breaking a three-decades old district record.

The Mead sophomore was right as Conley won 100-meter hurdles going away in 14.53 seconds at windy Spokane Falls Community College.

Conley broke the record set by former Central Valley standout Annette Helling (14.6) set in 1981.

Making the celebration for Conley that more special was the fact that Helling, Mt. Spokane’s girls coach, was on hand to congratulate her. Officials had Conley and Helling step to the top of the awards podium to acknowledge the new and former record holders.

“Halfway through I knew if I kept up my pace I could get the record,” Conley said.

It was one of the few sprint races that wasn’t wind aided. When the gun went off the wind that had been gusting and continued to gust throughout the District 8 4A and 3A meets settled just long enough for Conley’s race.

“I was feeling good in the beginning of the race and I just was going for it,” Conley said. “It’s one of the longest-standing records.”

Conley went on to also win the 300 hurdles (46.75).

Nick Johnson of Gonzaga Prep had what many thought was a record-breaking dash in the 110 hurdles. He won in 13.85, a week after he had broke into the 13s for the first time when he ran 13.94 in a final league dual meet. But a sizeable tailwind was behind Johnson and his competitors.

When told his time was wind aided, Johnson pointed at the scoreboard that listed his time and said, “I still have that.”

“My legs were loose and everything was perfect,” Johnson said. “I was just gliding over the hurdles.”

The time broke his season-long goal of 13.90 - which he had written on the thinner space between his thumb and first finger.

Johnson is thinking of writing 13.6 on his hand for his next goal.

The league champion Mead boys and Central Valley girls took all the drama out of the chase for team titles as both dominated.

Mead’s boys finished with 209 points, Gonzaga Prep was second (115.5) and CV (114.5) was third.

“We got points everywhere,” Mead coach John Mires said. “We expect this out of each other.”

In the girls, CV piled up 257.5 points and Lewis and Clark (150.5) finished a distant second.

The top nine in individual events advance to regionals next weekend in Richland.

For the Panthers, Bryan Anderson broke the school record in the 110 hurdles (14.18) as he finished second in the speedy final behind Johnson.

Then in the 300, Anderson finished .03 behind teammate Joseph Heitman (38.78), whose time was a season best by .06.

CV’s Anna Fomin and Katie Hawkins were part of three wins each. Fomin won the 400 (58.36) and Hawkins edged Fomin by .07 in the 200 in a time of 25.50. They also contributed to wins in relays.

Also for CV, Briegan Bester was a double winner in the 800 and 1,600.

“We set ourselves up well going into next week,” CV coach Geoff Arte said.

In 3A, the Mt. Spokane’s big first-day lead gave way to a phenomenal second day for Rogers. The Wildcats won with 206 and Rogers had 194.

Mt. Spokane’s girls, meanwhile, lapped the field, finishing with 329.5 points.

The good news for Rogers’ boys is senior sprinter Khalil Winfry returned to form after battling a hamstring injury and mental insecurities for a month.

Winfrey won the 100 (10.81), getting under 11 seconds for the first time this spring, and the 200 (22.16).

“It feels good to be back,” Winfrey said.

The top eight individuals advance to regionals.