The sun finally shined upon the track world Saturday just in time for the 48th annual Pasco Invitational at Edgar Brown Stadium.
And the athletes counted their blessings and took advantage of the perfect conditions to post three meet records and 14 state-best marks.
"Definitely, today, with the weather, I was just trying to stay energized and not wear myself out too much," said Emerald Ridge junior Kayla Stueckle, who clearly accomplished her goal with three wins en route to earning Outstanding Female Athlete honors.
She won the 100- and 300-meter hurdles -- the latter in a personal-best and state-leading 43.41 seconds -- and the long jump, and also took fourth in the 100.
"I pretty much accomplished what I wanted to today," she said.
Hazen senior Andrey Levkiv was named Outstanding Male Athlete after winning the shot put and discus, but he wasn't around to celebrate his feat.
Moments after Levkiv took the lead in the discus with a throw of 161 feet, 5 inches, he suffered a seizure awaiting his next turn sitting on a bench beside the ring.
Meet officials and paramedics rushed to treat Levkiv, who recovered after several minutes and stood as if to take his next throw, only to be sent to the hospital by ambulance as a precaution.
Jesuit won the girls title, making it four out of the last eight for Portland-area schools, edging Southridge by 4 1/2 points on the strength of the Crusaders' second-place finish in the 4x400.
The Suns won their speciality, the 4x100, in a season-best time of 48.88, and had nine individuals finish on the podium.
"It was a total team effort," said junior Chelsea Bourque, who took third in the 100 hurdles (15.55) and also ran a leg on the 4x100 and the eighth-place 4x400.
Kentwood won the boys title for the first time since 1991 and the combined team title thanks to the girls' fourth-place finish.
Southridge's 4x100 victory was one of five by Mid-Columbia athletes -- all in the girls meet.
Kiona-Benton senior Whitney Leavitt repeated in the 100 (12.28), and classmate Katharine Lotze jumped a career-best 36-7 to win the triple jump. Hanford senior Taymussa Miller won the high jump for the second time in three years, clearing 5-5, and Prosser senior Ana Zapien won the discus (133-10).
Richland senior Jessica Christian didn't repat as pole vault champion -- she lost out to Mead's Tasha Clark on misses -- but did tie the meet record by clearing 12 feet on her third attempt.
Kentlake senior Zach Smith also tied the meet record in the boys long jump, winning in 24-1 1/2, and North Central's distance medley kicked off the day by breaking the meet record by 3 seconds, winning in 10:18.18.
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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.
State cross country championships, race by race
State cross country championships, race by race
PASCO -- Here is a race-by-race look at the 2011 Washington state cross country championships at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco:
4A boys
Last year, the team title slipped from the grasp of Spokane schools for the first time in 23 years. On Saturday, the trophy went back to the west side of the Cascades for the first time since 1986 as Gig Harbor topped defending champ Eisenhower 55-78.
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."
Tri-Cities Prep, Kamiakin shine at state cross country meet (w/ galleries)
Tri-Cities Prep, Kamiakin shine at state cross country meet (w/ galleries)
PASCO -- There was a time when Tri-City teams were regulars on the state cross country podiums, with their runners standing tall on the top step.
Saturday's state cross country meet at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco brought those glory days back to life with a team championship, two more trophies, an individual crown and plenty of top finishes to go around.
Tri-Cities Prep repeated as the 2B/1B boys champion, easily holding off Northwest Christian of Lacey 56-89.
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.
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