TACOMA -- A year ago, Kyle Wagar bombed out in the 3A state javelin, while Haley Tank didn't even qualify.
On Friday at Star Track XXVII, the Hanford seniors came up big to bring home state hardware from Mount Tahoma High.
Wagar threw a personal-best 188 feet, 8 feet to finish third in the boys competition, while Tank went 127-6 to finish fourth in the girls.
"My adrenaline was rushing. I was ready to go out strong," said Wagar, who will play football at Central Washington this fall and is talking with CWU coaches about throwing the javelin there.
Wagar finished 15th at state in Pasco last May, but a throw of
188-4 in the prelims erased that memory. He improved upon that in the first throw of the finals.
"It was just me and the coaches this week, concentrating on the things I needed to work on," Wagar said. "For example, keeping my arm back instead of pulling it in. And it paid off."
Bellevue senior Robert Hintz set a meet record with his winning 211-0 throw.
Tank was hoping for a little positive mojo after lending her shoes to Othello's Christine Kirkwood on Thursday for her winning effort in the 2A meet.
It wasn't to be. Tank's best throw proved to be her first of the day. Columbia River's Anna Adamko won with a throw of 141-4.
"I didn't feel it as much today as I did last week," said Tank, who will play basketball and throw the javelin at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., next year.
"Still, I improved so much this year. I came into the meet third, so fourth place works for me. I'm OK with it."
Hanford senior Josh Bland ensured himself a busy final day of the meet by easing through his 400 prelim. Bland will compete in the 400, triple and high jumps today.
Class 2A
Grandview had a pair of boys place fifth in their events -- seniors Joseph Taylor in the javelin (172-2) and Joseph Babcock (44-103/4) in the triple jump.
Taylor threw a 4-foot personal best on his second throw of the prelims.
"I'm pretty excited, because I didn't expect to place this high," said Taylor, who finished behind CWAC rival Anthony Galaviz of Toppenish (182-2).
Babcock was part of a triple jump field that took advantage of a tailwind to post some big jumps -- River Ridge's Miles Coats won in 48-61/2, while Ephrata's Jerome Prescod also went over 48 feet.
"My goal was to place in the top five," Babcock said. "Naturally, I would have liked to have done better, but I can't complain."
Prosser senior Shelby Moore took sixth in the girls hurdles in 16.21 -- well back of winner Sarah Schireman of Archbishop Murphy (14.71).
"I didn't do what I wanted. I was faster in my prelim," said Moore, who ran 16.09 on Thursday. "But it was fun."
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Richland's Bratton comes through state prelims
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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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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