This Tri-City relay team rules at the 3A state track meet

When it comes to the 4x200-meter relay, no one does it better than Kamiakin High School.

The Braves have won five of the past seven 3A state titles in the event, while placing second the other two years (2014, 2017).

Not much looks to change this year, as the team of Katie Petsch, Britney Donais, Hannah Paulsen and Rachel Harper have not been beaten this season — albeit they have run together just twice.

"We developed this team late," said Kamiakin coach Cheryl Schauble, noting that Paulsen was a late addition.

But the team chemistry has been good. They won the Mid-Columbia Conference title, then won the regional title to qualify for state with a time of 1 minute, 43.98 seconds. The time is the seventh best in the state, regardless of division, and is second in the 3A ranks behind Mercer Island.

"We love the 200," Petsch said. "We hope to medal; that would be cool."

The 2A/3A/4A state championships will be Thursday through Saturday at Mt. Tahoma High school in Tacoma.

The eight Mid-Columbia 3A/4A schools are sending a combined 85 athletes. Kamiakin leads the way with 18, while Walla Walla has 16, Richland 13, and Chiawana 11 — all boys.

Petsch, a junior, runs the anchor leg, while Harper, a freshman leads off. Donais, also a junior, runs second, and Paulsen, a freshman, is third.

"It is really an honor to run on this team," said Paulsen, who also will run the 800.

Petsch, who specializes in the 100 and 200, said she loves to be the anchor.

"Once I get the baton, the corner is the fun part," Petsch said. "I feel you go faster, then you hear the crowd cheering. In the 100, I space out and focus on getting to the finish line. I don't hear anything. I just try to get to the finish line without dying."

Prelims will be Thursday afternoon, with the finals first thing Saturday.

"It would be nice to start off Saturday with a win," Donais said.

While all four runners will return next season, soon it will be time for the next wave of Braves to step up and carry on the tradition.

"We just keep passing the baton to the next team," Paulsen said.

4A/3A state participants

Chiawana: Germain Barnes (100, 110H, 300H, 4x100); Teddy Hunter (200, 4x400, 4x100); Cameron Breier (400, 4x400); Austin Bachman (800); Marvell Cooks (4x100), Sisay West (4x100, 4x400); Bennie Alferness (4x400); Kolei O'Reilly (discus); Elijah Ruiz (pole vault); Jackson Henry (long jump); Dion Lee (triple jump).

Hanford: Jonathan Bennett (100); Caleb Olson (3,200); Vincent Walsh (javelin); Connor Woodward (high jump); Amanda Fraga (400, 4x200); Nyenuchi Okemgbo (100H, 300H, 4x200); Sophia Sherman (100H, 300H, 4x200); Erica Seiler (4x200).

Pasco: Jaidyn Alexander (100).

Richland: Gavin Brasker (100); Riley Moore (1,600); Anthony Stone (1,600); Geoffrey Robinson (shot put); Tyler Fishback (javelin); Logan Simpson (high jump); Logan Hendel (pole vault); Bailey Carr (800); Laura Smith (100H); Madeline Mauia (shot put); Maelyn George (javelin); Shailey Kiki (pole vault); Jaimee Fields (triple jump).

Walla Walla: Sam Sievertsen (200, 4x400); Jared McAlvey (110H, 300H, 4x400); Javon Handcox (4x400), Henry Farnum (4x400); Patrick Utschinski (shot put, discus); Jahmal Mangarero (javelin); Mason Eacker-Rude (high jump); Ella Nelson (800, 3,200); Abigail Snyder (300H, 4x100); Karly Kenny (4x100); Paige Gardner (4x100); Madelyn Knight (4x100); Hannah Gilmore (discus); Emma Wenzel (javelin); Hally Ruff (pole vault); Noelani Helm (javelin).

Kamiakin: Colten Chelin (100, 200, 4x100); Jonah Franco (800, 1,600); Ryan Child (3,200); Parker Morgan (110H, 300H, 4x100); Benson Smith (300H, 4x100); Syl Hunt (4x100); Brock McCue (shot put); Jaxson Nichols (high jump, long jump); Brayden Freitag (pole vault); Ethan Berkey (110H); Cameron Gutierrez (400); Katie Petsch (100, 200, 4x100, 4x200); Britney Donais (100, 300H, 4x100, 4x200); Hannah Paulsen (800, 4x200); Rachel Harper (4x100, 4x200, pole vault); Kylie Scherbarth (4x100); Saran Sidibe (discus); Abby Winstead (pole vault).

Kennewick: Johan Correa (800, 1,600); Moses McAninch (javelin); Tyana Breedlove (400, 4x400); Geraldin Correa-Cambino (800, 1,600, 4x400); Maya Thornton (4x400); Essence Strada (4x400); Kidera Miller (shot put); Breanna Shaffer (javelin); Monica Kaylor (high jump).

Southridge: Ryan Stayrook (4x100), Eric Stayrook (4x100), Quintyn Steele (4x100), Wade Yocom (4x100); Emily Meek (100H, 4x200); Hailey Reiboldt (100H, long jump, triple jump); Reegan Moll (4x200), Mahek Bhandal (4x200), Kassadi Suitonu (4x200, long jump).

This story was originally published May 23, 2018 at 3:20 PM with the headline "This Tri-City relay team rules at the 3A state track meet."