TACOMA -- Josh Bland had himself a good start and better finish to Saturday's action at Star Track XXVII at Mount Tahoma High.
It's that middle event that the Hanford senior would like to have back.
Bland sandwiched a fifth-place finish in the 3A boys triple jump and a third in the 400 with a disappointing showing in the high jump -- the only event he won at last weekend's 3A Eastern Regionals.
"I definitely put a lot of frustration into that race," said Bland, whose time of 49.83 was just off his 49.21 in Friday's prelims. "I just told myself it was my last chance to show what I can do, that I deserve to be here."
Bland began his day by jumping a wind-aided personal-best of 44 feet, 31/4 inches on his first jump of the day.
"After that, I was struggling trying to adjust my steps," he said. "I'm satisfied, but I feel like I could have done better."
His struggles with his steps continued into the high jump, where he only cleared 6-0 and failed to place.
"I just didn't trust my approach," he said.
But he satisfied two personal goals in the 400 -- finishing third, and beating Mount Spokane's Jason Nokes, who beat him in last week's regional final.
"I got him when it mattered," said Bland, who will compete for Spokane Falls next year.
Classmate Taymussa Miller ended her career with an eighth-place finish in the long jump, going 16-31/2 while competing with shin splints in her right leg.
"I was not in a good mindset," she said. "And I didn't think I made it into the finals (with a 16-1). I was happy I just made it."
Class 2A
The area's three CWAC schools each had a thrower place in the girls discus -- Prosser senior Ana Zapien in second with a throw of 122-8, followed by Othello junior Tiffany Martinez (122-4) and Grandview senior Kinzi Poteet (120-2). Washington senior Vanessa Garris won in 124-10.
Zapien was in fifth after the prelims, then uncorked her best throw in the first round of the finals.
But that was little consolation after finishing second a year ago and falling almost 13 feet short of her personal-best this time around.
"I was hoping to throw over 140," she said. "I don't like to make excuses, but I think it was just in my head."
Martinez's head was filled with the echoes of her discus banging off the cage surrounding the ring on her second throw after getting her 122-4 on her first try.
"That hit was loud," she said, smiling. "Then, all I was thinking was, 'Don't hit the post. Don't hit the post.' Oh well. Next year, I should get it (the title). Hopefully."
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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."
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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.
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.
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Kamiakin cross country sweeps all-area honors (w/ photos)
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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.
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