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Neola Putnam best in State at Pasco meet
ANDREW CHRISTIANSEN
Reporter
Neola Putnam ran the third fastest class B girls time ever at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco, to win the State cross country championship. For two and a half miles, the race was as advertised. Four girls, each with a top five finish in last year’s race, were shoulder to shoulder, heel to toe, waiting for something to happen.
The first move was made by Mikel Elliot, of White Pass, as the group neared the two-mile mark. Elliot, who was third last year, moved out to a 20-yard lead, but the small group quickly reeled her back in.
With a half-mile to go, Putnam decided it was time to go. “They weren’t going for it, so I just took off,” said Putnam.
By the time she reached the final, downhill stretch, Putnam was all alone with the finish line and cheering crowd ahead. “I had a bit left at the end. I’m just glad it’s over,” said Putnam.
Among the runners she defeated was Lisa Vandenburg, who had beaten Putnam at District and State each of the past two years. Putnam was third as a sophomore and fifth last year.
Putnam attributes summer roadwork to the improvement she made relative to the other racers. Her time of 19:18 was almost a minute better than her last year’s time and 37 seconds better than her race as a sophomore.
Pirates proud
Bickleton runners Danielle Raschko and Junior Hernandez ran well at State. Coach Darrel Lang was pleased with the dedication it took for the two runners to return to State. Hernandez hadn’t qualified since 2005 and Raschko missed last year after going as a sophomore.
Raschko, a senior, was happy with her performance, finishing in 22:16. “I tried to run my own pace for the first mile,” said Raschko. But she soon found herself going harder than she wanted in the middle of the race. “Those girls took it out fast,” said Raschko. She got a few of those places back, but was well short of a podium finish.
Hernandez was busy congratulating his fellow runners after the boys’ race. His 17:46 was his fastest 5k race ever. With less than a mile to go, Hernandez was in a group battling for the 12th and final spot on the podium. He finished 14th and was very upbeat after the race, pleased to be back at State.
Hernandez’ first trip was as an eighth grader. He says he knew it was something big, back then, but after missing out the past two years, he wanted badly to return. “It took more running,” says Hernandez. With one year left, he already has a goal for a top five finish in 2009.
Milestones for Wolves
Podium finishes eluded Goldendale’s three runners, although all three had career performances.
For Conner Harris, the experience was everything. “District was my race. I just wanted to get here and get the sweatshirt,” said Harris.
His teammate, Asa Israel had hoped for more, in his third and final trip to State. But the race was run at a wicked pace, and although he ran 42 seconds quicker than last year’s 13th place performance, Israel could do no better than 14th. Israel ran a 16:50 with the race winner, Quinton Decker, of Port Townsend posting a super-quick 15:56.
Addie Christensen was pleased with her race, finishing in 22:17, which is 50 seconds better than her first trip, last year. “I was surprised nobody seemed to have a kick. I passed about 10 girls at the end,” said Christensen.
There were 1592 runners from 235 schools at this year’s State championship meet. WIAA, Dairy Farmers of Washington, les Schwab tires and Wells Fargo Bank sponsored the event.
Royal ends Timberwolf hopes for second straight year
ANDREW CHRISTIANSEN
Reporter
Royal used a stout defense and short passing game to pick apart Goldendale and advance to the State 1A football playoffs behind a 49-7 win, last Friday. The game was played on the Knights’ new turf football field on a cool, damp Friday evening.
The same match-up kicked off post season play last year with similar results, but it was a much different game. Royal was up 27-0 at the end of the first quarter, last year, following an opening 90-yard kickoff return and an on-side kick. This time it was a more even affair, with Royal leading 7-0 at the end of the first. But, three second quarter touchdowns put the Timberwolves in a nearly hopeless situation.
In the end, it was failure to stop the Knights on third and fourth down plays that put the game out of reach. Royal converted on 7-9 third downs and 1-2 fourth down situations, just in the first half. Goldendale, on the other hand, was 0-7 on third down and 1-1 on fourth down in the half.
The Timberwolves misfired on their first nine passing attempts, but connected on five of the last six passes in the game. The only Goldendale score was Austin Ross’ three-yard touchdown run, which came against Royal’s reserves and was too little, too late.
The Timberwolves complete the season with a 4-5 record and three consecutive post season appearances.
Coach Don Strother said he is optimistic about his young team’s future. “I like this group a lot,” said Strother. “They worked hard and had a good attitude all year long.” Strother gave special credit to his seniors who showed great leadership. He also saw growth in his younger players. “I like our prospects. The core of the team is young and we hope to continue to move in the right direction with work this spring and summer.”
Other SCAC teams that advanced to the playoffs were Granger, Connell, and Zillah.
Goldendale 0 0 0 7 7
Royal 7 21 21 0 49
Rushing: Goldendale – Cairns 18-91, Ross 3- (-2), Briseno 1-8, Hunziker 3-6, Davenport 1- (-1). Royal – Paysse 7-56, Christensen 7-39, Collins 4-31, Ledezma 2-7, Marmelejo 3-7, Edwards 1-6.
Passing: Goldendale – Ross 9-22-1-65. Royal – Paysse 17-29-1-237.
Receiving: Goldendale – Cameron 3-20, Jaekel 2-17. Royal – Collins 6-109, Ledezma 3-44, Albertson 3-36, Singer 2-25, Christensen 2-14, Edwards 1-9, Ramirez 1-4.
Tigercats, Cougars light up scoreboard in LaCrosse
Two, big, physical teams went at it in LaCrosse last Friday, like heavyweight boxers scoring at will until the gun put an end to the Southeast league battle between Lyle-Klickitat-Wishram and LaCrosse-Washtucna-Kahlotus. When the dust settled, the Tigercats remained undefeated and LKW finished its season with a 4-6 record against the toughest schedule in the state.
Ty Freemantle had a monster game, returning six kickoffs for 200 yards, rushing for 76 and scoring four touchdowns, including one on a pass from Jeromie Mason. Running back Henry Matai had another 100 yard game, picking up 126 on 24 carries.
The Tigercats scored first on a 23-yard run followed by a 91-yard scoring dash. Freemantle answered with the first of two touchdown kick returns for 88 yards. His second came on the next kickoff following the Tigercats’ third score.
LKW began to control the line of scrimmage in the second quarter. Coach Don Smith credits Dillon Huffman, Chris Wolff, and Mike Eiesland for tough play inside that allowed LKW to out-score the Tigercats in the second quarter. The half ended with the Cougars trailing 36-28 and very much in the game.
Things went sour quickly in the third quarter for the Cougars, as the Tigercats pounced on a turnover inside the LKW 30-yard line. Two unanswered scores put the game out of reach.
Each team scored once in the fourth quarter, including a 6-yard run for Freemantle’s fourth touchdown.
LKW 16 12 0 6 34
LWK 28 8 16 8 60
Rushing: Lyle - Matai 24-126, Freemantle 16-76, Jim Price 6-16, Mason 5-11. Solo tackles: Lyle - Matai 5, Mason 4, Aaron Churchwell 4, Freemantle 3, Price 2, Wolff 2, Eiesland 2, Nolan Smith 2, Huffman 1.
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