Track and Field: West Valley’s Irvine takes second in Class 3A pole vault

TACOMA,Wash. — Once you’ve split your head open pole vaulting, it’s not so easy to reach for the sky again.

Zane Irvine, with seven stitches above his right temple, confronted his lingering doubts twice Thursday night and twice he overcame them at the last possible moment.

And the reward for such right-back-in-the-saddle courage was a second-place medal — clearing the same height as the winner — during the first day of the Class 4A, 3A and 2A state track and field championships at Mount Tahoma High School.

The West Valley senior sailed over the first four heights during a 3A final that lasted over four hours, but at 14-0 with five vaulters left, trust and faith got complicated.

Irvine tried to get on the bigger pole that led, at least partially, to the head injury he suffered at last week’s regional meet. On his first two attempts he balked on the runway and eventually bailed out on each try. But on the third and final attempt, Irvine retrieved the lighter pole, meant for lower heights, and cleared it anyway.

At 14-3, with four jumpers left, Irvine went through the exact same frustration-turned-clutch sequence, matching his school record on the final try.

Eastmont’s Berlie Walker cleared 14-3 on his first go and prevailed on fewer misses.

“Yeah, it was that bigger pole that got me,” Irvine said. “It’s not that I didn’t want to or couldn’t — I used it all week in practice. But today, when I picked that pole up there was something inside me that hesitated 20, 30 feet from the box. I believed in my ability on those third jumps and that got me through.”

Selah junior Erika Wilson lost her volleyball season to knee surgery last fall, but her recovery got a nice emotional boost Thursday with a second-place finish in the 2A girls javelin.

Not able to use a full run-up until recently as the knee returns to 100 percent, Wilson uncorked a personal best of 119-11 and moved from third to second on her final throw.

Not bad for coming in seeded sixth.

“It was hard to know what to expect here, but with using more of the runway I was getting more and more distance,” said Wilson, who’s looking forward to returning to her middle blocker position on the volleyball team.

“Second place — that’s a nice surprise.”

Eisenhower’s Santos Vargas was a bit off his game in the 4A 3,200 final, placing fifth in 9:16.67. After setting the Valley record last week at 9:01.82, Vargas was with the leaders through five laps but drifted off the leading pace on lap six before rallying for fifth.

“It was all about place for me in this race,” he said. “I really wanted top three so that’s a big disappointment. Hopefully Saturday will be better.”

Vargas competes in the 1,600 on Saturday.

 

Track and Field: Eisenhower’s Vargas, Chavez draw inspiration from Barany

TACOMA, Wash. — As Santos Vargas and Mayra Chavez completed half of their distance double at state here on Thursday night, it was clear for both Eisenhower seniors that the ambitious undertaking had as much to do with what was in their hearts as in their legs.

A week had done little to lessen the shock — and soulful inspiration — of the sudden passing of 2005 graduate Robbie Barany, who died of a stroke last week in Yakima. He was 25.

Barany, a star distance runner who went on to Notre Dame, was a state cross country runner-up who broke the Valley’s all-time record in the 3,200-meter run during his senior year at Eisenhower.

Vargas and Chavez learned the tragic news just before the regional meet in Richland last weekend. While heartbreaking on so many levels, they resolved to infuse his memory into their efforts.

Vargas and Chavez both went out and qualified for state in the 1,600 and 3,200 on less than 17 hours rest.

“We told each other, ‘Let’s do this for Robbie,’” said Chavez, whose older brother ran with Barany. “He inspired so many people, especially me growing up. He’d always say, ‘You’re going to run faster than your brother!’ Losing him is still too hard to believe.”

For Vargas, his emotional effort last Friday was both record-setting and deeply meaningful. The first thing he did was go out and break Barany’s Valley record in the 3,200, running 9:01.82 in the regional final.

Coach Phil English, who has been trying to process the sudden loss along with Eisenhower’s entire cross country and track extended family, hoped Vargas could channel his emotions in a positive way.

He certainly did.

“When Mr. (English) told me about Robbie, I knew I had to make the regional race special,” Vargas said. “I believed I could do it, and I dedicated the race to him. The success I had that day — that was for Robbie.”

Funeral services for Barany are pending.

Bounce back: Riverside Christian’s Van Tuinen flying high after 2011 injury

YAKIMA, Wash. — Nate Van Tuinen had himself a plan a year ago and a history of hitting the mark each time.
Riverside Christian’s three-sport standout was going to duel teammate Kyle Gartrell for a state title in the triple jump — he expected to beat his friend, truth be told — and he was going to kick in 15 points or so to help the Crusaders win their third straight Class 2B state team title.
But in the third track meet of the season, just as the plan was firming up, it all came undone.
On the final phase of a triple-jump attempt, as he planted his left foot to launch himself into the pit, his ankle rolled violently. Then his knee buckled with even more force, collapsing the entire left side of Van Tuinen’s body as he hurled into the sand.

Plan ruined.
“I laid there thinking. ‘This is bad,’” he recalled. “Whatever it was — a torn-up ankle, an ACL, some kind of broken bone — my season could be over. It was such a hopeless feeling.”
Van Tuinen suffered a tibial plateau fracture, a crack in the shin bone just below the knee, and while it didn’t wipe out the entire season he was completely done jumping.
Being a junior at the time, Van Tuinen had a year to recover what was lost, and judging by his excited smile this week, redemption is finally at hand. The four-event winner at his regional meet and owner of three Valley bests will compete in the 100, 400, long jump and triple jump at the 2B state championships in Cheney on Friday and Saturday.
“Ever since that injury my goal has been to recover and get back to state in four events,” said the wispy strong 5-foot-10, 155-pound sprinter/jumper. “I played soccer (fall) and basketball (winter), which I’ve always done, and had no setbacks. It’s all been building up to this.”
For Van Tuinen, there was more to the process than simply healing bone. The events he will compete in this week were influenced greatly but last year’s downfall.
Heightening the frustration of the injury was that it didn’t completely end his season. He was cleared to run — no jumping — just before district six weeks later. Thrilled to contribute, Van Tuinen ran leadoff on a 4×400 relay that barely qualified for state and eventually placed eighth.
Van Tuinen had made it to Cheney with the team, but his diminished condition had left him far from 100 percent and feeling like a fish out of water.
“That week I wondered why I was putting myself though it,” he said. “But in my mind I had to try. I didn’t want the whole season to be a failure.”
So this season he targeted the demanding 400 as one of his main events and he leads the Valley with a school record of 50.31 and hopes of dipping under 50 this week.
The real question was the triple jump, which seemed like a no-brainer. Van Tuinen had reached 44-1 1/2 in his first meet last year before the injury and had placed fourth at state as a sophomore.
But confidence in that last phase was not easily restored.
“The first meet this season was great. I went 43-6 and figured that’s it, I’m back,” he said. “But I haven’t been in the 44s and it’s been frustrating. The injury was a little freaky, and I guess it’s always in the back of my mind. I don’t know if that’s the problem or not.”
“For the first two phases Nate is a 45-foot jumper, but then he hits that left foot,” said coach Scott Wells. “He long jumps off the right foot so that hasn’t been an issue. When he started to take off in the 200, I put it out there — do you want to consider skipping the triple jump?”
Van Tuinen was tempted, seeing that his 22.8 best in the 200 ranked among the state 2B leaders. But the triple jump is special at Riverside Christian, which has owned the event at state for the last five years. Gartrell won three titles in a row and Aaron Wells, who coaches Van Tuinen, won in 2007 and ‘08.
“Mr. Wells asked me two weeks ago, ‘What do you want to do?,’ and I just couldn’t walk away from the triple jump,” he said. “It’s been my event all through high school and it’s Riverside Christian’s event. I have to do it.”
So even with a lost season in his prime, Van Tuinen’s day has come. Last year’s senior leader Derek Byrne did four events at state, earning high-point honors with 30, and he counseled his friend to ease up on the pressure and just have fun with it.
“That’s exactly what I’m going to do — enjoy it all,” he said. “All the titles Derek and Kyle won really pushed me, but I was always in their shadow. I was determined to recover from the injury and do something to make my own name.”
Now that sounds like a plan.

Valley track and field leaders through 5/22

Rankings reflect the top eight per event through all state-qualifying meets. Sprint events (100, 200, 300 meters) are all based on automatic timing with notable hand times appended. If anything looks amiss, contact me at sspruill@yakimaherald.com

BOYS
100: Herman Herrera (Grandview) 11.13, Sterling Clark (Prosser) 11.25, Austin Wagner (Davis) 11.26, Nate Van Tuinen (Riverside Christian) 11.35, Briley Cameron (Goldendale) 11.37, Jacob Oswalt (Granger) 11.40, Isaac Anderson (Prosser) 11.45, Josh Quicksall (Cle Elum) 11.45. Hand timed: Van Tuinen 11.0, Quicksall 11.2.
200: Austin Wagner (Davis) 22.90, Angel Rodriguez (Zillah) 22.91, Ignacio Ibarra (Wapato) 22.93, Isaac Anderson (Prosser) 23.00, Jacob Oswalt (Granger) 23.00, James Wildman (Prosser) 23.19, Nate Van Tuinen (Riverside Christian) 23.21, Herman Herrera (Grandview) 23.30, Cooper Kupp (Davis) 23.30. Hand timed: Rodriguez 22.6, Oswalt 22.7, Van Tuinen 22.8.
400: Nate Van Tuinen (Riverside Christian) 50.31, Ignacio Ibarra (Wapato) 50.58, Angel Rodriguez (Zillah) 50.78, Drew Schreiber (Eisenhower) 50.87, Reyes Cuevas (Sunnyside) 51.22, Julian Avalos (Kittitas) 51.30, Sergio Reyna (East Valley) 51.45, Clinton Olivas (East Valley) 52.01.
800: Drew Schreiber (Eisenhower) 1:54.04, Joseph Knox (Davis) 1:54.99, Chase Mears (West Valley) 1:55.06, Jaziel Rodriguez (Eisenhower) 1:57.93, Rogelio Bahena (Davis) 1:58.61, Santos Vargas (Eisenhower) 1:58.70, Jan Eymer (Davis) 2:01.63, Julian Avalos (Kittitas) 2:01.78.
1,600: Santos Vargas (Eisenhower) 4:12.20, Jaziel Rodriguez (Eisenhower) 4:15.31, Joseph Knox (Davis) 4:24.92, Chase Mears (West Valley) 4:27.59, Jesus Medina (Eisenhower) 4:31.01, Gage Benner (Eisenhower) 4:32.40, Jeffrey Ott (Ellensburg) 4:32.62, Justin Irvine (West Valley) 4:34.56.
3,200: Santos Vargas (Eisenhower) 9:01.82, Jaziel Rodriguez (Eisenhower) 9:40.71, Jeffrey Ott (Ellensburg) 9:45.00, Tyler York (Eisenhower) 9:48.53, Alex Palacios (Davis) 9:54.27, Brad Kahn (Selah) 10:02.06, Carter Svendsen (Eisenhower) 10:02.39, Brian Islas (Davis) 10:04.01.
110 hurdles: Elijah Pena (Sunnyside) 15.67, Omar Manzo (Toppenish) 15.71, Jaime De La Torre (Wapato) 15.75, Brady Conway (Goldendale) 15.89, Anthony Heard (Davis) 15.94, Braden Sunwold (West Valley) 16.03, Jordan DeSanto (Riverside Christian) 16.10, Eric Amaro (Sunnyside) 16.12. Hand timed: Conway 15.6, DeSanto 15.7.
300 hurdles: Austin Lynn (Davis) 39.88, Jaime De La Torre (Wapato) 41.05, Elijah Pena (Sunnyside) 41.74, Brady Conway (Goldendale) 41.92, Jordan DeSanto (Riverside Christian) 42.12, Riley Haringa (Prosser) 42.29, Omar Manzo (Toppenish) 42.43, Ignacio Ibarra (Wapato) 42.60. Hand timed: Conway 41.3.
4×100: Davis (Carter, Wagner, Kupp, Lynn) 43.78, Prosser 44.05, Grandview 44.07, Cle Elum 44.4h, West Valley 44.58, Zillah 44.6h, East Valley 44.72, Sunnyside 45.04, Goldendale 45.0h.
4×400: Prosser (Clark, Hibbs, Pedroza, Wildman) 3:24.08, Eisenhower 3:29.10, Davis 3:29.92, Kittitas 3:31.86, Zillah 3:32.3h, West Valley 3:32.79, Wapato 3:32.88, East Valley 3:35.11.
Shot: Jake Callaghan (Naches Valley) 55-11, Austin Gagnon (Zillah) 47-6, Braydon Ross (Goldendale) 46-9 1/2, Chris Maybee (Selah) 46-4, Oliver Devlin (West Valley) 46-0, Mikal Livingston (Eisenhower) 44-10, Elijah Payer (Wapato) 44-3, Daniel Villanueva (Davis) 43-10.
Discus: Oliver Devlin (West Valley) 153-9, Chris Maybee (Selah) 151-1, Braydon Ross (Goldendale) 149-8, Mikal Livingston (Eisenhower) 140-5, Adrian Villasenor (Toppenish) 140-1, Brandon Bertelsen (Selah) 133-7, Jake Callaghan (Naches Valley) 132-0, Adrian Gutierrez (Mabton) 129-2.
Javelin: Fernando Valencia (Riverside Christian) 188-8, Eric Amaro (Sunnyside) 177-0, Jason Easter (Eisenhower) 173-10, Miguel Guzman (Sunnyside) 168-5, James Swanson (West Valley) 167-3, Cole Walters (Klickitat) 164-10, Rodolfo Cruz (Prosser) 163-7, Josh Ketner (Ellensburg) 162-5.
High jump: Thane Pierson (Naches Valley) 6-7, Wade French (Prosser) 6-6, Cameron Rath (Selah) 6-2, Jesse McDaniel (Kittitas) 6-0, Ethan Hibbs (Prosser) 5-10, Austin Lynn (Davis) 5-10, Scott Frank (Zillah) 5-10, Tim Lambert (Klickitat) 5-10, Micah Tranch (Riverside Christian) 5-10, Jesse Berumen (Kittitas) 5-10.
Long jump: Nate Van Tuinen (Riverside Christian) 21-8 1/2, Eduardo Salmeron (Sunnyside) 21-0, Thane Pierson (Naches Valley) 20-10 3/4, Matt Bennett (Ellensburg) 20-9, Dominic Garza (Prosser) 20-8 1/2, Isaac Messenger (Goldendale) 20-8 1/2, Jacob Oswalt (Granger) 20-6 1/2, Ty Poole (Kittitas) 20-6 1/2.
Triple jump: Nate Van Tuinen (Riverside Christian) 43-6, Isaac Messenger (Goldendale) 43-2 1/2, Eduardo Salmeron (Sunnyside) 43-2, Riley Haringa (Prosser) 42-5 1/2, Joey Hurtado (Prosser) 41-6 1/2; Brady Conway (Goldendale) 41-3, Daniel Lara (Grandview) 41-0 1/2, Thane Pierson (Naches Valley) 40-10 1/2.
Pole vault: Zane Irvine (West Valley) 14-3, Ignacio Ibarra (Wapato) 14-0, Jacob Hino (Eisenhower) 14-0, Isaac Anderson (Prosser) 13-6, Colton Peyser (Selah) 12-9, Nic Venema (Bickleton) 12-6, Peter Clinton (Bickleton) 12-6, Jaime De La Torre (Wapato) 12-0.

GIRLS
100: Marlee Rees (Prosser) 12.40, Tierney Silliman (West Valley) 12.57, Angie Zuniga (Toppenish) 12.66, Carlee Creager (Cle Elum) 12.68, Tracey Bautista (Davis) 12.92, Becca Niemeyer (Prosser) 13.14, Alexia Rodriguez (Ellensburg) 13.23, Taylor Wicht (Selah) 13.25. Hand timed: Katelyn Pendley (Thorp) 12.6.
200: Tierney Silliman (West Valley) 25.71, Angie Zuniga (Toppenish) 26.17, Marisa Broersma (Sunnyside) 26.35, Kelcie Russell (Ellensburg) 26.58, Rachel Massey (Eisenhower) 26.66, Kailee Wood (Selah) 26.71, Carlee Creager (Cle Elum) 26.78, Taylor Wicht (Selah) 26.81.
400: Kolby Childers (Prosser) 59.10, Amber Reiber (Selah) 59.31, Rachel Massey (Eisenhower) 59.79, Keana Fine (Eisenhower) 59.92, Sheila Silvas (Davis) 1:00.19, Lindsay Clerf (Kittitas) 1:00.73, Kennedy Mattern (Toppenish) 1:01.08, Sydney Allen (Davis) 1:01.13.
800: Jaden Gjestrum (West Valley) 2:19.31, Sydney Allen (Davis) 2:22.44, Mayra Chavez (Eisenhower) 2:24.69, Edith Zaragoza (Eisenhower) 2:25.60, Valerie Vogt (Trout Lake-Glenwood) 2:26.42, Sheccid Arreola (East Valley) 2:27.73, Kolby Childers (Prosser) 2:28.68, Amber Reiber (Selah) 2:28.70.
1,600: Mayra Chavez (Eisenhower) 5:13.50, Sammi Jo Blodgett (Wapato) 5:22.63, Yasi Mohsenian (East Valley) 5:24.35, Valerie Vogt (Trout Lake-Glenwood) 5:24.46, Samantha Gil (Eisenhower) 5:29.44, Elise Tello (Eisenhower) 5:30.85, Amber Nickerson (Ellensburg) 5:31.74, Engaisi Peter (Ellensburg) 5:38.29.
3,200: Mayra Chavez (Eisenhower) 11:11.20, Elise Tello (Eisenhower) 11:25.41, Yasi Mohsenian (East Valley) 11:54.84, Tori Klein (Eisenhower) 12:03.23, Rachel Farris (Ellensburg) 12:09.49, Margret Parobek (West Valley) 12:14.82, Rachel Farris (Ellensburg) 12:23.17, Valerie Vogt (Trout Lake-Glenwood) 12:24.5h.
100 hurdles: Akaisha Charlton (Ellensburg) 16.35, Beth Wise (Zillah) 16.54, Jazmin Guerrero (Prosser) 16.67, Bethany Imperial (Riverside Christian) 17.26, Lexi Carpenter (Riverside Christian) 17.29, April Soelberg (Riverside Christian) 17.43, Cassie Riel (La Salle) 17.46, Devin Simpson (Eisenhower) 17.60. Hand timed: Simpson 17.1.
300 hurdles: Madison Moore (Prosser) 47.06, Madison Moffat (Ellensburg) 47.83, Regine Standley (La Salle) 48.71, Brittany Broersma (Sunnyside) 49.12, Lexi Carpenter (Riverside Christian) 49.80, Beth Wise (Zillah) 49.87, Akaisha Charlton (Ellensburg) 50.65, April Soelberg (Riverside Christian) 50.71. Hand timed: Bethany Imperial (Riverside Christian) 49.1, Soelberg 50.3.
4×100: Prosser (Moore, Childers, Niemeyer, Rees) 50.24, Selah 50.40, Sunnyside 50.80, Toppenish 50.87, West Valley 51.11, Ellensburg 51.52, Davis 51.80, Eisenhower 51.96.
4×200: Prosser (Moore, Childers, Niemeyer, Rees) 1:45.88, Selah 1:49.28, Sunnyside 1:49.53, Davis 1:49.64, Toppenish 1:50.92, Ellensburg 1:50.93, Kittitas 1:50.95, Cle Elum 1:51.51.
4×400: Ellensburg (Moffat, Summer, Russell, Hall) 4:05.22, Eisenhower 4:07.12, West Valley 4:15.50, Prosser 4:17.18, Kittitas 4:18.92, Riverside Christian 4:21.33, Zillah 4:24.1h, La Salle 4:24.8h.
Shot: Ewieona Williams (Eisenhower) 38-0 3/4, Mikaela Zimmer (East Valley) 37-11 1/2, Kelsie Taylor (Naches Valley) 37-0, Kylie Montgomery (Goldendale) 34-1, Hunter Roberts (Riverside Christian) 33-6 1/4, Ashley Sabin (Kittitas) 33-3, Rachel Bush (Eisenhower) 33-0 1/2, Anna White (Prosser) 32-5.
Discus: Claire Goins (Eisenhower) 118-1, Ewieona Williams (Eisenhower) 117-0, Samantha Fate (Wapato) 113-4, Kelsie Taylor (Naches Valley) 108-2, Brooke Brown (Eisenhower) 108-1, Anna White (Prosser) 105-11, Janell Dufault (La Salle) 104-5, Jamila Shafer (Grandview) 102-6.
Javelin: Brooke Brown (Eisenhower) 137-9, Kelsie Taylor (Naches Valley) 132-8, Nicole Nobbs (Riverside Christian) 130-8, Brittany Adkison (Selah) 119-0, Emily Murphy (West Valley) 115-3, KC Andrus (Cle Elum) 114-3, Erika Wilson (Selah) 114-0, Lara Parsons (Klickitat) 111-11.
High jump: Kelcie Russell (Ellensburg) 5-2, Lindsay Clerf (Kittitas) 5-2, Ava Tolcacher (Prosser) 5-0, Ryane Holmes (Davis) 5-0, Emily Seaman (Zillah) 5-0, Lindsay Brown (Bickleton) 4-11, Kendall Platsman (Sunnyside) 4-10, Rachel Massey (Eisenhower) 4-10, Katelyn Pendley (Thorp) 4-10, Aryssa Brantner (West Valley) 4-10, Carly Quirk (Ellensburg) 4-10.
Long jump: Marlee Rees (Prosser) 17-5 1/2, Karla Martinez (Davis) 16-11, Kailee Wood (Selah) 16-11, Regine Standley (La Salle) 16-7, Samantha Herzog (East Valley) 16-2, Bridgette Wichterman (Ellensburg) 16-2, Emily Seaman (Zillah) 16-1 1/4, Bethany Imperial (Riverside Christian) 16-0 1/2.
Triple jump: Karla Martinez (Davis) 34-9 3/4, Regine Standley (La Salle) 33-10, Bethany Imperial (Riverside Christian) 33-6 1/2, Sydney Mercer (Prosser) 33-1, Shaliyah Johnson (Wapato) 32-10, Erica Clerf (Kittitas) 32-9 1/2, Mattisen Boyle (Prosser) 32-8 1/2, Emily Seaman (Zillah) 32-8, Jamie Venema (Bickleton) 32-8.
Pole vault: Taylor Wicht (Selah) 10-0, Madison Moore (Prosser) 9-6, Linnea Phillips (West Valley) 9-6, Serena Streich (West Valley) 9-0, Jamie Venema (Bickleton) 9-0, Alexys Braley (Wapato) 8-6 1/2, Mackenzie Davis (Prosser) 8-6, Geordan Skyles (Sunnyside) 8-6, Shelby Borger (Selah) 8-6.

All-league boys soccer

CBBN 4A
MVP: Jhony Mendoza, sr., Davis.
Coach of the year: Tyler Suhm, Eisenhower.
FIRST TEAM
GK: Nash Yamauchi, sr., Richland. DEF: Jhony Mendoza, sr., Davis; Edgar Camacho, sr., Eisenhower; Martin Cortez, jr., Moses Lake; Jesus Rivera, jr., Eisenhower. MF: Guillermo Silva, sr., Eisenhower; Homar Renteria, sr., Davis; Adolfo Cortez, sr., Moses Lake; Ariel Gonzalez, sr, Chiawana; Marcos Medina, sr., Walla Walla. FOR: Jesus Delgado, sr., Eisenhower; Rene Solorio, sr., Chiawana; Jonny Cortez, so., Moses Lake; Austin Herrick, jr., Richland.
SECOND TEAM
GK: Cesar Aparicio, sr., Eisenhower. DEF: Carlos Sanchez, sr., Wenatchee; Anibal Pacheco, jr., Chiawana; Jorge Guerrero, jr., Davis; Pablo Suarez, jr., Eisenhower. MF: Javiar Gomez, sr., Wenatchee; Gerrard Lomas, sr., Richland; Jonathan Larsen, jr., Richland; Guadalupe Rodriguez, sr., Davis; Sam Nunez, sr., Chiawana. FOR: Ricardo Saldana, jr., Walla Walla; Williams Pineda, jr., Davis; Cezar Leon, so., Chiawana; Nicolas Reyes, jr., Richland.
HONORABLE MENTION
Local only
GK: Carlos Ordaz, sr., Davis. MF: Roman Pacheco, sr., Davis; Juan Carlos Magana, sr., Eisenhower. FOR: Cristian Tejeda, sr., Eisenhower; Jetzael Marmolejo, so., Davis.

CBBN 3A
MVP: Joel Villa, jr., Eastmont.
Coach of the year: Brian Gochoel, Kennewick.
FIRST TEAM
GK: Daniel Romero, sr., Eastmont. DEF: Isaac Sappington, sr., Pasco; Juan Rodriguez, sr., Eastmont; Angel Garcia, sr., Kennewick; Edgar Dominguez, sr., Pasco; Tyler Cluff, jr., West Valley. MF: Derek Zimmerman, sr., Pasco; Joel Villa, jr., Eastmont; Geo Vazquez, sr., Kennewick; Jesse Esquivel, sr., West Valley; David Covarrubias, sr., Kennewick. FOR: Moises Navaro, jr., West Valley; Mauricio Perez, jr., Eastmont; Josh Vanassche, sr., Eastmont; Jose Anguiano, so., Kamiakin.
SECOND TEAM
GK: Jose Ramos, sr., Pasco. DEF: Bradly Lopez, jr., Sunnyside; Ricardo Leal, sr., Sunnyside; Brett Konzek, sr., Southridge; Yems Rosas, sr., Eastmont. MF: Mario Guizar, sr., Kamiakin; Mitch Meyers, jr., Eastmont; Hernan Mendoza, so., Eastmont; Armando Armenta, sr., Sunnyside; Juan Magana, jr., Pasco; Kolten Brockman, jr., Kamiakin. FOR: No nominations.
HONORABLE MENTION
Local only
GK: Cristian Vargas, sr., Sunnyside. DEF: Canyon Silliman, jr., West Valley. MF: Enrique De La Cruz, so., Sunnyside.

CWAC
Offensive player of the year: Jorge Campos, sr., Othello.
Defensive player of the year: Osvaldo Martinez, sr., Toppenish.
Coach of the year: Anne Holden, Grandview.
Sportsmanship: Wapato.
FIRST TEAM
GK: Matt Helsley, sr., Ephrata; Martel Saucedo, sr., Othello. DEF: Jon Campuzano, sr., Grandview; Osvaldo Martinez, sr., Toppenish; Matt Jones, jr., Othello; Manny Lopez, jr., East Valley. MF: Jorge Campos, sr., Othello; Eric Lopez, sr., Toppenish; Jose Ibarra, sr., Ellensburg; Edgar Lopez, sr., Toppenish. FOR: Eliseo Montiel, jr., Selah; Victor Lopez, sr., Toppenish; Casey Oltman, sr., Ellensburg; Fredy Rodriguez, sr., Wapato.
SECOND TEAM
GK: Elmer Campuzano, jr., Grandview. DEF: Jorge Barajas, jr., Ellensburg; Armando Robles, jr., Toppenish; Troy Brown, sr., Selah; Julio Alvares, sr., Wapato. MF: Alex Guzman, sr., Grandview; Ivan Balbuena, jr., Selah; Enrique Romero, sr., Othello; Blas Benicio, sr., Quincy; Gavin Osegueda, jr., East Valley. FOR: Ivan Sabalsa, sr., Toppenish; Ricardo Serrato, jr., Grandview; Miguel Penaloza, jr., Othello; Jake Ferris, sr., Ellensburg.
HONORABLE MENTION
Local only
DEF: Sam Zentner, sr., Ellensburg; Ruben Clara, jr., Grandview. MF: Cesar Orduno, jr., Grandview; Cesar Lopez, sr., Prosser; Uriel Bustos, sr., Selah. FOR: Danny Hernandez, sr., Selah.

SCAC
MVP: Jesus Gutierrez, jr., Highland.
Coach of the year: Greg Wagner, Highland.
Sportsmanship: Naches Valley.
FIRST TEAM
GK: Antonio Gonzalez, sr., Highland. DEF: Hector Franco, so., Granger; Alex Myrick, jr., Royal; Johnny Villanueva, sr., Royal; Luis Rivera, sr., Wahluke. MF: Angel Zuniga, sr., Connell; Zachary Metcalf, jr., Kiona-Benton; Crisantos Chavez, jr., Mabton; Christian Cuerrero, jr., Royal. FOR: Jesus Gutierrez, jr., Highland; Luis Nogales, jr., Highland; Eugenio Cruz, sr., Wahluke.
SECOND TEAM
GK: Lupe Arceo, jr., Royal. DEF: Esau Cervantes, jr., Granger; Tomas Alvarez, so., Highland; Tony Alvarez, jr., Highland; Yonatan Flores, sr., Mabton. MF: Josue Diaz, jr., Connell; Jorge Marin, sr., Highland; Porfirio Navarro, sr., Naches Valley; Jorge Lopez, sr., Wahluke. FOR: Miguel Muniz, jr., Highland; Guillermo Macedo, sr., Mabton; Alex Ramirez, sr., Royal.
HONORABLE MENTION
Local only
GK: Alex Alvarez, fr., Granger; Gerardo Barajas, sr., Mabton. DEF: Lorenzo Sanchez, jr., Mabton. MF: Misael Franco, fr., Granger; Noe Ramos, sr., Granger; Alfredo Virgen, jr., Highland; Josh Carrasco, jr., Mabton. FOR: Edgar Cisneros, so., Mabton.

All-league baseball

CBBN 4A
Player of the year: C.J. Gettman, sr., Wenatchee.
Pitcher of the year: Dustin Driver, jr., Wenatchee.
Coaching staff of the year: Jeff Zehnder, Wenatchee.
FIRST TEAM
First base: LeVonte Allen, sr., Davis. Second base: Josh Eggers, sr., Walla Walla. Third base: Jens Jensen, sr., Davis. Shortstop: Bryton Redal, sr., Moses Lake. Catcher: Elliott Sage, jr., Moses Lake; Taylor Lemke, sr., Walla Walla. Outfield: Moe Handcox, sr., Walla Walla; C.J. Edrington, sr., Chiawana; Connor Moore, sr., Richland. Utility: Corey Morris, sr., Richland. DH: Gibson McGeorge, so., Richland. Pitcher: Mason Hilty, jr., Richland; Levi Broeske, jr., Richland; Jens Jensen, sr., Davis; C.J. Gettman, sr., Wenatchee. Relief pitcher: Elias Moctezuma, fr., Davis.
SECOND TEAM
First base: Chris Gill, sr., Chiawana. Second base: Nate Ruane, jr., Richland. Third base: Hunter Chambers, so., Richland. Shortstop: Mason Hilty, jr., Richland. Catcher: Zach Alexander, sr., Davis. Outfield: Elijah Gardaya, sr., Richland; Brian Orendor, sr., Wenatchee; Chris Woodard, sr., Wenatchee. Utility: Cody Furstenberg, sr., Walla Walla. DH: Kyle Blankenship, jr., Wenatchee. Pitcher: Trenton Dupre, jr., Davis; Luke Reardon, jr., Walla Walla. Relief pitcher: Kyle Blankenship, jr., Wenatchee.
HONORABLE MENTION
Local only
First base: Angel Valencia, jr., Eisenhower. Outfield: Michael Sawyer, sr., Eisenhower.

CBBN 3A
Player of the year: Trek Stemp, sr., Kennewick.
Pitcher of the year: Colin Serkowski, sr., Hanford.
Coaching staff of the year: Tom DeWitz, Hanford.
FIRST TEAM
First base: Colin Serkowski, sr., Hanford. Second base: Ryan Neal, sr., Hanford. Third base: Drew Oord, sr., Kamiakin. Shortstop: Jesse Houser, sr., Kamiakin; A.J. Hoskins, sr., Hanford. Catcher: Dylan Maurer, sr., Southridge. Outfield: Taylor Sanderson, sr., Southridge; Trevor Jones, sr., Hanford; Troy Fulton, sr., Kennewick; Andrew Castillo, sr., Kamiakin. Utility: Cole Henderson, jr., Southridge. DH: Justin Hancock, so., Kennewick. Pitcher: Conner O’Neil, jr., Southridge; Stetson Plew, sr., Kennewick; David Marshall, so., Kamiakin; Jesse Houser, sr., Kamiakin. Relief pitcher: Bear Braich, sr., Hanford.
SECOND TEAM
First base: Jarod Gonzales, sr., Kennewick. Second base: Logan Jackson, jr., Kamiakin. Third base: Derek Thomason, sr., West Valley; Matt Mendenhall, sr., Southridge. Shortstop: Ethan Cantu, sr., Pasco; Chase Lewallen, jr., Eastmont. Catcher: Ty Earley, jr., Kamiakin; Garrett Wilz, sr., Kennewick. Outfield: Mikey Bonnett, sr., West Valley; Finn McMichael, sr., Hanford; Steven Sordahl, so., Kennewick. DH: Conner O’Neil, jr., Southridge. Pitcher: Clayten Ayres, jr., Kennewick; Jarrod Molnaa, jr., Kennewick; Carter Haehl, so., Eastmont; Chase Lewallen, jr., Eastmont. Relief pitcher: Justin Kreutz, jr., Southridge.
HONORABLE MENTION
Local only
First base: Alhanon Miller, sr., West Valley. Catcher: Cody LaRiviere, sr., West Valley.

CWAC
MVP: Josh Snider, sr., Ephrata.
Coach of the year: Todd Gibson, Ellensburg.
Sportsmanship: Toppenish.
FIRST TEAM
Pitcher: Kody Graham, sr., Ellensburg; Jake Monson, sr., Selah. Catcher: Cameron Campbell, so., Ellensburg. First base: Andrew Gonzalez, sr., Selah. Infield: David Garza, jr., Othello; Michael Wyatt, sr., Ellensburg; Hunter Hanson, jr., East Valley; Kyle Kilian, jr., Prosser. Outfield: Kurt Lindemann, sr., Selah; Caleb Garza, sr., Othello; Tyler Clark, jr., Ephrata; Colby White, so., Prosser. Utility: Bryce Beavers, sr., Ephrata; Ryker Ford, jr., East Valley.
SECOND TEAM
Pitcher: Jake Tolcacher, jr., Prosser; Carson Petrea, jr., Selah. Catcher: Chandler Gribble, so., Ephrata. First base: Corbin Richardson, jr., Ellensburg. Infield: Hugo Lemus, sr., East Valley; Jake Munguia, sr., Ellensburg; Kris Janis, sr., East Valley; Fabian Gutierrez, so., Selah. Outfield: Mason Hall, jr., Selah; Justin Juarez, jr., East Valley; Grant Kallstrom, sr., Ephrata; Junior Ledgard, so., Ellensburg. Utility: Kevin Duncan, sr., Ellensburg.
HONORABLE MENTION
Local only
Pitcher: Mitchell Wagner, jr., Grandview; Mathew Hauck, so., East Valley. Infield: John Piper, sr., Toppenish. Outfield: Chet Bardwell, jr., Grandview. Utility: Dain Schademan, jr., Ellensburg; Zack Janis, so., East Valley.

SCAC West
MVP: Cole Gilman, sr., Naches Valley.
Coach of the year: Bill Walker, Naches Valley.
FIRST TEAM
Cole Gilman, sr., Naches Valley; Noel Gonzalez, sr., Naches Valley; Lucas Denney, jr., Goldendale; Ethan Enstad, sr., Goldendale; Nolin Bare, sr., Goldendale; Gavin Rodriguez, jr., La Salle; Tanner Christenson, sr., Highland; Taylor Logan, so., Highland; Landon Messmore, sr., Zillah; Andre Braxton, sr., Cle Elum.
SECOND TEAM
Ben Wells, jr., Naches Valley; Nathan Giles, sr., Naches Valley; Cam Walker, so., Naches Valley; Michael Trunkey, sr., Goldendale; Aaron Stewart, sr., La Salle; Kevin Smith, sr., La Salle; Josiah Mitchum, sr., Highland; Parker Stohr, so., Highland; Cooper Filleau, sr., Cle Elum; Trevor Fink, sr., Zillah.
HONORABLE MENTION
Austin Molner, sr., Naches Valley; Corey Hill, so., Naches Valley; Koleman Johns, jr., Naches Valley; Ben Cochrane, so., Goldendale; Tim Bartkowski, jr., Goldendale; Trey Trepanier, jr., Highland; Kanay Sonderstrum, so., Highland; R.J. Adams, jr., Cle Elum; Kahleb Wersland, jr., Cle Elum; Gustavo Mendoza, sr., Granger.

NORTH CENTRAL SOUTH
MVP: Cruz Pruneda, sr., Warden.
Pitcher of the year: Manuel Amezola, sr., Warden.
Catcher of the year: Sterling Haas, sr., Riverside Christian.
Coach of the year: Dan Caballero, Warden.
Sportsmanship: Bridgeport and Riverside Christian.
FIRST TEAM
Nate Sorensen, sr., Kittitas; Isaac Johnson, sr., Kittitas; Derek Pruneda, sr., Warden; Jerry Reyes, fr., Warden; Ty Jesse, sr., Warden; Josh Cowin, jr., Riverside Christian; John Haas, jr., Riverside Christian; Junior Alvarado, jr., White Swan; Jayson Mains, fr., Riverside Christian.
SECOND TEAM
Alonso Bibiano, fr., Kittitas; Tanner Wallace, sr., Kittitas; Robert Garza, fr., White Swan; Garritt Marks, jr., Warden; J.P. Martinez, sr., Warden; Luke Vickers, jr., Riverside Christian; Jacob Haas, fr., Riverside Christian; Michael Powell, sr., Bridgeport; Benny Phillips, sr., White Swan.
HONORABLE MENTION
Local only
Jadon Meador, 8th, Kittitas; Aaron Ackerman, sr., Riverside Christian; Jameson Cates, sr., Riverside Christian; JoJo Kosill, so., White Swan; Nate Lewis, sr., White Swan.

Track: Ike’s Vargas, Chavez go the distance

RICHLAND, Wash. — Between the cool of Friday evening to the heat of Saturday afternoon, Eisenhower distance runners Santos Vargas and Mayra Chavez found just enough recuperation to double their plans for state next week.

After both finished second in the 3,200-meter races on Friday, Vargas and Chavez made a quick return to Fran Rish Stadium on Saturday and, despite the 80-plus degree heat, placed a state-qualfying third in the 1,600 finals at the CBBN-GSL 4A regional track and field meet.

Vargas, who broke the Valley’s all-time record in the 3,200 with his 9:01.82 run on Friday, had plenty left less than 17 hours later as his 1,600 time of 4:12.87 wasn’t far off his school record of 4:12.20 set last week.

“Doubling back, I wasn’t sure what would be left,” said Vargas, who was less than a second off the winning time. “I thought 4:12 or so would be enough to get in the top three (for a state berth) but you never know because of how tough this region is. I’ll have a day between the races at state so I’m excited about that.”

Chavez, whose runner-up time in Friday’s 3,200 was 11:21.93, duplicated Vargas’ comeback third on Saturday, clocking a season best 5:13.50.

“I got a lot of ice on my legs after last night’s race. It hurts, but it helps,” said Chavez, who recently signed a letter of intent to attend New Mexico State in the fall. “I’ve been waiting for a good race in the 1,600 all season and wondering when it would come. This was a great time to get it.”

Vargas and Chavez both get a nice break at state in Tacoma next week with the 3,200 finals Thursday night and the 1,600 races on Saturday.

Davis had two boys make the state cut — Joseph Knox in the 800 and Austin Lynn in the 300 hurdles.

Knox did all the early work in the 800 final and earned a career-best time for his effort, succumbing only to Wenatchee’s Nick Broersma and finishing second at 1:54.99.

After towing the field through a 58-second first lap, Knox held form and held off crosstown rival Drew Schreiber of Eisenhower. Schreiber, just a sophomore, came up for third a lean behind Knox in 1:55.01.

“I figured Nick would be a little tired (after running the 400) so I had the chance to take it out,” Knox said. “I felt good, but when you don’t know where everybody is it makes you nervous. Nick was awesome, as usual, and I just tried to not let anybody else get by.”

Lynn, a senior, broke 40 seconds for the first time, clocking 39.88 for third place.

BOYS

Team scores: Mead 125, Wenatchee 87, Walla Walla 73, Lewis & Clark 66.5, Ferris 64.5, Richland 60, Central Valley 51, Eisenhower 35, Davis 30, Gonzaga Prep 20, Rogers 20, Moses Lake 17, Chiawana 13.

Local placers

100: 7, Austin Wagner (D) 11.53. 200: 6, Wagner (D) 22.91; 8, Cooper Kupp (D) 23.36. 800: 2, Joseph Knox (D) 1:54.99; 3, Drew Schreiber (E) 1:55.01; 8, Jaziel Rodriguez (E) 1:59.47. 1600: 2, Santos Vargas (E) 4:12.87; 5, Rodriguez (E) 4:15.31. 3200: 3, Vargas (E) 9:01.82. 300H: 3, Austin Lynn (D) 39.88. 4×100: 4, Davis 43.78. 4×400: 4, Davis 3:30.21; 5, Eisenhower 3:31.26.

Jav: 4, Jason Easter (E) 170-1. TJ: 8, Travis Frymier (E) 39-6.

GIRLS

Team scores: Richland 101, Mead 97.75, Wenatchee 80.5, Central Valley 72, Moses Lake 64, Ferris 58.25, Chiawana 55, Eisenhower 50, Lewis & Clark 43, Gonzaga Prep 33, Walla Walla 22, Rogers 12.25, Davis 7.25.

Local placers

200: 5, Rachel Massey (E) 26.66. 400: 4, Massey (E) 59.95; 7, Sheila Silvas (D) 1:01.60; 8, Keana Fine (E) 1:01.64. 1600: 3, Mayra Chavez (E) 5:13.50. 3200: 2, Chavez (E) 11:21.93; 4, Elise Tello (E) 11:25.41. 4×100: 8, Davis 52.07. 4×200: 5, Davis 1:49.64.

Shot: 3, Ewieona Williams (E) 35-9. Disc: 4, Williams (E) 115-4. Jav: 1, Brooke Brown (E) 137-9. HJ: 8, Ryane Holmes (D) 4-10.

All-league fastpitch

CBBN 4A
MVP: Alyson Ambler, sr., Walla Walla.
Co-offensive players of the year: Jazmynn Jesse, fr., Moses Lake; Jordana Storm, fr., Walla Walla.
Defensive player of the year: Libbie Jimenez, jr., Walla Walla.
Coaching staff of the year: Jerry Humphreys and Walla Walla.
FIRST TEAM
Pitcher: Alyson Ambler, sr., Walla Walla; Jordan Heiser, sr., Walla Walla; Kayla Andrews, so., Richland; Paige Goulet, jr., Richland. First base: Jazmynn Jesse, fr., Moses Lake. Second base: Jordana Storm, fr., Walla Walla. Third base: Bailey Walthers, sr., Richland. Shortstop: Libbie Jimenez, jr., Walla Walla. Catcher: April Utecht, fr., Richland. Outfield: Dora Hernandez, sr., Richland; Hailee Bishop, so., Moses Lake; Sadee Smigaj, jr., Moses Lake. DH: Audrey Oleson, sr., Richland.
SECOND TEAM
Pitcher: Haylie Van Laethem, jr., Moses Lake. First base: Elli Rassbach, so., Walla Walla. Second base: Cydney Elgin, sr., Richland; Brianna Hoffmann, jr., Moses Lake. Third base: Lindy Holmberg, sr., Wenatchee. Shortstop: Monika Hebky, jr., Richland. Catcher: Tressa Radach, so., Moses Lake. Outfield: TraeAnn Payne, sr., Walla Walla; Whitney Weber, so., Chiawana; Monique Deffenbaugh, sr., Richland.

CBBN 3A
MVP: Lindsey Kamphuis, sr., Kamiakin.
Offensive player of the year: Marissa Menchaca, sr., Pasco.
Co-defensive players of the year: Remy Bradley, sr., Hanford; Hunter Schneitter, so., Kamiakin; Marissa Menchaca, sr., Pasco; Hannah Souers, sr., West Valley.
Coaching staff of the year: Tammy Hutchison and Kamiakin.
FIRST TEAM
Pitcher: Lindsey Kamphuis, sr., Kamiakin; Kayla De La Paz, so., Hanford. First base: Emily Benson, so., Kamiakin. Second base: Hunter Schneitter, so., Kamiakin. Third base: Marissa Menchaca, sr., Pasco. Shortstop: Allyx Copeland, sr., Southridge; Remy Bradley, sr., Hanford. Catcher: Jessica Miracle, sr., Kamiakin. Outfield: Hannah Sams, sr., Southridge; Carlie Richards, so., Kamiakin; Annabel Perez, so., Pasco. DH: Sydney Manning, fr., West Valley.
SECOND TEAM
Pitcher: Halley Ringer, so., West Valley; Kalee Auvil, sr., Eastmont; Sarah Gilliam, so., Southridge. First base: Giselle Gomez, sr., Pasco; Janelle Randles, jr., Southridge. Second base: Makenzie McFeeley, sr., West Valley. Third base: Melanie Oord, so., Kamiakin. Shortstop: Cylie Richards, so., Kamiakin. Catcher: Makensie Meyer, so., Southridge. Outfield: Madison Roberts, sr., West Valley; MaKenna Hall, so., Hanford; Kelsey Manning, sr., West Valley.
HONORABLE MENTION
Local only
Pitcher: Hannah Kivi, sr., West Valley. First base: Hannah Souers, sr., West Valley.

CWAC
MVP: McKenzie Zerr, so., Selah.
Coach of the year: Scott Coleman, Prosser.
Sportsmanship: Ephrata.
FIRST TEAM
Pitcher: Ally Burgess, so., Ellensburg; McKenzie Zerr, so., Selah. Catcher: Sarah Bersing, jr., Selah; Kellie Ross, sr., East Valley. Infield: Kim Bullis, jr., Othello; Laura Steiner, so., Selah; Kenzie Koch, sr., Prosser; Ashlee Betancourth, sr., East Valley. Outfield: Mackenzie Hughes, jr., Ellensburg; Kylee Fullerton, sr., Selah; Taelor Griffin, so., Ellensburg. Utility: Daisy Salgado, jr., Othello; Taylor Rath, jr., Selah.
SECOND TEAM
Pitcher: Makayla Morrow, jr., Prosser; Ashley Van Tress, sr., Grandview; Carley Minnick, sr.,. Selah. Catcher: Melanie Swanson, sr., Ellensburg; Sofia Rodriguez, fr., Othello; Kelsey Alefteras, sr.,. Prosser. Infield: Karlee Ward, sr., East Valley; Mary Michael Graf, sr., Selah; Kayla Brissey, jr., Ephrata; Lizzy Vick, sr., Ellensburg; Alyssa Martinez, sr., Othello. Outfield: Evelyn Miron, sr., Othello; Kylie Harper, sr., Othello; Brittany Keller, so., Prosser. Utility: Brook Stutzman, fr., Ephrata.
HONORABLE MENTION
Local only
Pitcher: Karly Malcolm, fr., Ellensburg; Gabby Meza, sr., Prosser. Infield: Allie Kopczynski, fr., Ellensburg; Cassie Sharon, sr., Ellensburg; Bailey Turner, sr., Selah. Outfield: Josie Savage, sr., Ellensburg; Hayley Floyd, sr., Selah; Samantha Castaneda, jr., Grandview; Rikki Verduzco, jr., Grandview. Utility: Briana Cordova, jr., Wapato.

SCAC WEST
Player of the year: Samantha Robillard, sr., Zillah.
Coach of the year: Daniel Robillard, Zillah
FIRST TEAM
Laura Potts, sr., Cle Elum; Haley Hoffman, sr., Goldendale; Kassidy Ruggles, jr., Zillah; Johna Kartes, sr., Goldendale; Ashley Morehouse, sr., Cle Elum; Whitney Winters, sr., Zillah; Alexis Salcedo, sr., Zillah; Danielle Sweigard, sr., Cle Elum; Crysta Counts, jr., Goldendale; Kailynn Gylling, sr., Naches Valley.
SECOND TEAM
Virginia Soderstrom, sr., Cle Elum; Kristin Stanley, jr., Naches Valley; Allison Torres, jr., Zillah; Jennifer Nelson, sr., Zillah; Jamie Lambert, sr., Cle Elum; Brooke Graff, so., Goldendale; Allison Hutchins, jr., Goldendale; Haley Stottlemyre, sr., Naches Valley; Vanessa Nava, jr., Granger; Sydney Riel, fr., La Salle.
HONORABLE MENTION
Jaclynn Olivas, so., Zillah; Lexie Wright, so., Zillah; Jill Lambert, jr., Cle Elum; Sara Ferguson, so., Cle Elum; Taylor Swift, sr., Goldendale; Sarah Henderson, jr., Goldendale; Kaylee Clark, jr., Naches Valley; Shealyn Hyde, fr., Naches Valley; Alina Villa, sr., Granger; Kaycie Saxton, so., La Salle.

NORTH CENTRAL SOUTH
MVP: Iris Rodriguez, jr., Warden.
Coach of the year: Nate Phillips, Kittitas.
Sportsmanship: White Swan.
FIRST TEAM
Tawnie Gonzalez, sr., Warden; Tori O’Shaughnessy, sr., Kittitas; Lexy Pruneda, fr., Warden; Cory Wabaunsee, so., White Swan; Caitlyn Steiner, jr., Kittitas; Sondra Platas, sr., Warden; Alex Houle, so., Thorp-Easton; Haley Yamane, jr., Warden; Ashley Hayes, jr., Kittitas.
SECOND TEAM
Mallory Alma, sr., Thorp-Easton; Kylie Wheatley, jr., Kittitas; Brenda Deleon, jr., Warden; Cassie Johnson, so., Kittitas; Miexy Gonzalez, jr., Warden; Narcy Guerra, jr., Warden; Anika Bobb, so., White Swan; Nocona Abrams, fr., White Swan; Kendal Greninger, jr., Kittitas.
HONORABLE MENTION
Local only
Rachel Baker, fr., Kittitas; Trinity Kies, 8th, Kittitas; Rennae Bill, so., White Swan; Barbara Whitesell, fr., White Swan.

Prep baseball: Three for One at Davis regional

Trio of CWAC teams and Cheney vie at Davis for berth in state baseball final four ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — Ellensburg dominated league, Selah owned district and East Valley swept its two league games against Selah.

Each of the CWAC’s elite baseball teams has made plenty of trouble for the other, but now they will meet on one field on one day for one prize.

Fresh off their 3-0 sweep of the Great Northern League in regional play, Ellensburg, Selah and East Valley will converge Saturday along with Cheney for two rounds of the Class 2A state tournament at Davis High School.

So much for this being a soft year in the league.

“You look at the teams that didn’t make it out of district — Ephrata and Prosser — those are really good teams,” said EV coach Jesse Benedetti. “One through five or six — you could hold your head up high. The league was deeper than most thought it would be.”

Which makes squeezing all three into one quarterfinal site, while convenient for spectators, a heavy disadvantage for a league so deep.

“We beat each other up in league, beat each other up in district and now we have to do it again on Saturday,” noted Ellensburg coach Todd Gibson. “We all came through the sub-regional round with wins, so it would be nice for at least one of us to go west and have a shot at getting through one of those regionals.”

Only one team can advance out of the Davis regional to the final four at Yakima County Stadium on May 25-26.

And if you’re into toss-ups, consider this: In the eight games that paired two of these three teams, seven were decided by three runs or less and three were one-run games.

Saturday’s 10 a.m. first-round game will feature the fourth meeting between fourth-ranked Selah (19-5) and No. 8 East Valley (18-6), which swept the Vikings 3-2, 10-7 in league play.

But after taking an atypical fourth seed into district, Selah has risen to the level of highly successful past, reeling off four consecutive postseason wins with a 13-10 victory over EV for the district title.

For coach Mike Archer, the awakening came not so much from the EV losses, which came on separate days in April, but after getting swept by Ellensburg 6-5, 5-3 on March 30.

“Back then I think we had more faith in the guys than they had in themselves,” he said. “But they understood they had to get to work, raise the intensity and start competing a little harder. That’s exactly what they’ve done, and lately they’ve been executing the small things that win games.”

Senior pitcher Jake Monson (9-2) has been a workhorse, pitching 20 postseason innings and appearing in all four games. He shut out Prosser 3-0 in a loser-out district opener on May 2 and outdueled Cheney ace Jeremy Alderman with an eight-inning gem on Saturday.

East Valley had won 11 straight games before dropping the district final, then bounced back with a gritty 3-2 come-from-behind win over Clarkston on Saturday.

“We were down 2-0 late and the kids never got down. It was a great win for us,” Benedetti said. “We’ve had to work through a lot of health issues (two sophomore outfielders have replaced injured seniors) and early on we struggled with consistency. But getting healthier and having some kids step up has kept us going.”

Junior Ryker Ford and senior Hugo Lemus have split EV’s four postseason starts, and the pair teamed up against Clarkston with Ford working five innings and Lemus finishing the sixth and seventh.

“We’ve played Selah three times and the kids know each other so well,” Benedetti added. “It’s all about execution and who makes those crucial few plays.”

After Selah and East Valley finish their business, top-ranked Ellensburg (21-1) takes the field against Cheney (16-8) at 1 p.m. for the second first-round game.

After their 18-0 run through league play, the Bulldogs took their first loss of the season in the district semifinals, 7-5 to Selah. But Ellensburg’s bats powered the team to state, ousting Ephrata 14-9 and then knocking out East Valley of Spokane 8-2.

“After the Selah game we had maybe 10 minutes to regroup, get out there and play a loser-out game,” said coach Todd Gibson. “It was a quick talk and we all agreed: There was no way our season was going down like that. We went out and put up 14 and that’s how we’ve done it all season — just grind for everything.”

It seems certain Ellensburg will face Alderman, who threw a no-hitter against East Valley of Spokane in the GNL district title game. He and Monson were knotted at 1-1 through seven innings before Selah chased him in the eighth and won 4-1.

Michael Wyatt and Kody Graham have been Ellensburg’s postseason starters with Wyatt throwing six shutout innings in Spokane last Saturday.

“We’ve been pretty steady with the bats but our consistency on defense has really come on lately,” Gibson noted. “Sometimes it’s seemed like the baseball gods were shining on us (winning six league games by one or two runs), but we’ve got good leaders and they never stop battling.”

Toppenish’s one-year turnaround

YAKIMA, Wash. — With every leap forward Toppenish’s boys soccer team has taken this season, Uriel Gonzalez will always remember the first step his Wildcats took that started it all.

“Last year, honestly, we didn’t have a very good season even though we were young. We barely made it to district and lost at Ellensburg,” he recalled. “On the way home the guys were feeling real bad about how the season had gone and I said, ‘Look, it’s up to you how you want next season to go. What will you do?’”

The answer has been an 18-1 record, 17 straight victories and a trip to Spokane on Saturday for the Class 2A state quarter-finals.

“Their work ethic has been off the charts,” said Gonzalez, who directed Top-Hi into the state’s final four in 2007 and 2010. “They made sacrifices, worked hard and stayed positive through it all. I tell them, ‘See how all that work has paid off? That’s why we’re in this position now.’”

That position, to some, would appear quite daunting. The Wildcats will be on the artificial turf at Joe Albi Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. to face Cheney, which is 18-0 and ranks 27th in ESPN’s Fab 50 national poll.

“We’re on a great run but the pressure and hype is on Cheney,” said Gonzalez, whose balanced team is led by the 12 goals each from the Lopez boys, Jonathan, Victor and Eric. “We’re just going to play our game and our style and get on that turf and run.”

More on state soccer

While Toppenish takes on Cheney, Davis (13-4-1) will be across town at Central Valley (12-3) for a 4A state quarterfinal that also starts at 1 p.m.

Both teams are defensive-minded. Davis’ Williams Pineda and CV’s Isaiah Van Voorhis are the offensive leaders with nine goals apiece.

This will be Davis’ first quarterfinal appearance and CV’s second.

Also on Saturday, Highland will look to extend its 18-0 season in a 1A quarterfinal against Chelan (15-5) at 1 p.m. Chelan beat Bellevue Christian 5-1 in a first-round match on Wednesday.

Jesus Gutierrez’s hat trick on Tuesday against Okanogan pushed the Highland junior to 31 goals, making him the eighth player in Valley history to top 30 goals in a season.

Player turned coach

Not many teams could survive losing a league MVP and still win a district championship, but Selah’s fastpitch team managed it last weekend.

A big reason, coach Bill Harris insists, is that the Vikings’ fallen standout — senior Mary Michael Graf — is still very much a part of the team.

“Mary’s our team leader, the glue that holds this team together, and even though she’s not on the field she’s become a coach and inspiration,” Harris said.

Graf, a four-year starter who shared last year’s CWAC MVP award with teammate Sierra Weedin, suffered a broken hand in the final league doubleheader on May 3.

The Vikings overcame Othello 11-10 in the district semifinals, then overpowered Ellensburg in the title game to clinch a state berth on their home field next week.

Selah and West Valley-Spokane, both 21-1, have first-round byes in Saturday’s regional tournament in Spokane. Four of the six teams advance to state and Ellensburg (17-5) needs to oust Clarkston to punch its state ticket.

Viks hit academic jackpot

Whenever the seasonal state academic team champions are announced, we do well to snag a couple from the Valley.

Well this spring we picked up four and three are from Selah.

The Vikings earned Class 2A state honors in fastpitch (3.695 grade-point average), boys golf (3.697) and girls track (3.740). That gives Selah four state academic champions for the school year, the volleyball team (3.803) having won the 2A title last fall.

The CWAC swept the golf state titles with Wapato (3.850) topping the 2A girls list.

Ike’s record runs

Eisenhower’s Santos Vargas broke a 23-year-old school record in the 1,600 two weeks ago and hopes to lower his 4:12.20 further. But teammate Drew Schreiber might not let his record last another 23 years.

Schreiber, who broke Ike’s freshman 400 record last year, eclipsed the school’s sophomore 800 record last week with a stunning 1:54.04 run in the CBBN 4A district meet.

“With his speed and cross country background we’re progressing toward the mile next year,” said Ike coach Phil English. “It’s just the tip of the iceberg for Drew.”

Ike’s former sophomore 800 record of 1:55.4 was set in 1994 by Chris Schafer, who went on to run 1:51.28 and win the 1996 AAA state title.

Local state baseball

In addition to the 2A state baseball at Davis, Yakima is hosting regional play in two other classifications on Saturday.

Yakima County Stadium will have two rounds of 3A play with Hazen (15-7) facing Kennewick (18-7) at 10 a.m. and Kamiakin (15-9) taking on Mt. Spokane (17-7) at 1 p.m. The winners play a 4 p.m. quarterfinal.

West Valley will host half of the 1B state tournament starting with two quarterfinal games — Quilcene vs. Oakville at 10 a.m. followed by Almira/Coulee-Hartline vs. Lummi at 1 p.m. The winners play a 4 p.m. semifinal.

• Scott Spruill’s prep blog is at sportsyakima.com He can be reached at 577-7686 or sspruill@yakimaherald.com

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