The last time the Pasco girls qualified a runner to the 4A state meet was 2003, the first year Star Track was held at Edgar Brown Stadium, when Nicole Elliott placed fourth in the 100-meter hurdles and third in the 300 hurdles.
Perhaps it's fitting then that as Edgar Brown will hold Star Track for the final time later this month, the Bulldogs have several candidates to end their state drought.
"We've so heavily relied on the throwing events recently, it's nice to see us getting the runners out," said coach Kirston McBride.
One of those runners is junior Yesenia Ortiz, the top seed in both the 100 and 400 for Friday's CBL 4A district meet at Fran Rish Stadium in Richland. Her bests this year are 12.68 seconds in the 100 and 59.24 in the 400.
"For Yesi, it's a matter of finally getting some confidence in what she can do on the track," McBride said. "She's gone up against some good competition at the (Pasco) Invite and at Lake Washington, and she's a little more driven this year to get up there with them."
Another top-seeded Bulldog is sophomore Janette Rodriguez in the 800 (2:21.52), part of a young distance corps that two years ago virtually didn't exist at Pasco.
"Janette is so strong, I don't count her out against anyone," McBride said. "She's so mentally tough, if there's someone right there in front of her, she's going to get them."
Both Ortiz and Rodriguez run legs on the Bulldogs' 4x400 relay, which is the No. 2 district seed with a season-best of 4:09.05. Three others -- freshmen Shelby Ellsworth and Shaunice Townsend, and junior Nicole Grigg -- are battling for the other two spots.
"We haven't had choices before, and it helps to have them battle just to be on the team," McBride said.
Sophomore Marisa Vander Malle is the No. 3 seed in both the 1,600 and 3,200, although McBride thinks her best shot at a state berth is in the 3,200.
In fact, none of them have easy roads to state. Ortiz has the third-fastest 4A time among eastside runners in both the 100 and 400, and the 800 always seems to produce a surprise or two at regionals.
Right now, though, their focus is on districts. Richland is the heavy favorite to win its fourth straight title, but the Bulldogs -- who went 5-1 in league duals -- are shooting for second, which would be their best finish since 1999.
"We finished second in league (in duals) and beat teams we hadn't beaten in a long time," McBride said. "To finish second at districts would be tremendous for the girls."
-- The postseason continues Friday for everyone in the Mid-Columbia except Hermiston.
The CBL 3A districts are at Southridge, with Kamiakin looking to defend its boys and girls team titles.
The CWAC subdistricts are in Prosser and Othello, while the SCAC East meet is in Royal City.
The Oregon district meets (3A in Burns, 2A at Riverside in Boardman, 1A in Moro) are state qualifying meets.
Similar stories:
Kamiakin cross country sweeps all-area honors (w/ photos)
Kamiakin cross country sweeps all-area honors (w/ photos)
KENNEWICK — It's Kamiakin's world; everyone else is just running in it.
In terms of the Mid-Columbia cross country scene, that's an apt description of this last fall season.
The Braves boys and girls not only dominated league meets -- at times placing their full squad of seven in the top 10 -- they performed well at the big races and brought home a bounty of state hardware.
Family Affair
Family Affair
The Kamiakin Braves figure to play a key role in several story lines when the state cross country races take over Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco on Saturday.
Matt and Stephanie Rexus are key players for the Braves -- Matt is the longtime coach of the boys team expected to challenge five-time defending 3A champion North Central, Stephanie a senior and top runner for the girls team looking to repeat as state trophy winners.
But for a twist of fate, the father and daughter might never have gotten into running the first place.
Southridge swimmer Sanchez gets up to speed
Southridge swimmer Sanchez gets up to speed
KENNEWICK -- Southridge High School senior swimmer Alisha Sanchez will compete this weekend in her third consecutive state 50-yard freestyle, but her qualifying time of 25.67 seconds didn't come until district preliminaries.
For a while, Sanchez wasn't sure she would get back to the state swimming and diving championships in Federal Way. She was sidelined the first half of the season after dislocating her shoulder for the third time this year.
"The first time I did it was in the spring," said Sanchez, who will have surgery after state to repair a tear in her rotator cuff. "It was during track. I was lifting weights. I was kind of being stupid."
Othello's Ruiz wins Tri-City Herald All-Area Swimmer of the Year
Othello's Ruiz wins Tri-City Herald All-Area Swimmer of the Year
Othello senior Natilee Ruiz, who this fall receives her third Tri-City Herald All-Area Swimmer of the Year honor, is a stellar example of the type of competitor this area can produce.
The six-time state champion, bound for San Diego State next year, not only has the times to back up her talent, but tremendous heart.
"When she did her (letter of intent) signing the other day, I said during my speech that she's an All-American athlete, she's a 4.0 valedictorian of her class, but she's an All-American human being," said Tony St. Onge, who has coached Ruiz as part of a co-op agreement with Moses Lake. "She's got great character. I'd call her a humble champion, which are the greatest champions. She's considerate of others. She's respectful. I'm confident that San Diego's thrilled to have her."
Richland's Bratton comes through state prelims
Richland's Bratton comes through state prelims
FEDERAL WAY -- Lisa Bratton turned on the jets in a big way Friday.
Now, the Richland sophomore sits in prime position for hardware today at the state swimming and diving championships in Federal Way.
Bratton entered the Class 4A 200-yard individual medley preliminaries as the No. 1 seed and didn't budge from the top spot. She slashed to an All-America consideration time of 2 minutes, 5.54 seconds, 35 hundredths of a second faster than her qualifying time.
Print
Email Story
