Basin athletes end spring sports well

Spring has sprung and a lot of guys and gals around the Columbia Basin will be moving on to the next stage of their lives. Some will be going to college, others will be entering the workforce.

But either way, if they are the only examples I see from their respective communities, we are well represented.

Moses Lake senior Elly Johnson finally put together the throw to get her over the top at the 4A state track and field championships. She marked with a personal best throw of 137 feet, seven inches to win a 4A state championship. I had a nice talk with Elly last spring when she was chasing the crown. She was a little amazed with my knowledge of throwing technique, not that I can throw, but I do know a little something about those who can.

I told her about covering Suzy Powell-Roos. I didn’t have the privilege of seeing it, but Suzy, the Track and Field News national girls high school athlete of the year, set the national girls high school record in 1994 with a throw of 214-feet.

Elly just rolled her eyes like I won’t be making that throw anytime soon. Yep, you and the rest of the world. We had a good laugh about how people think throwing the discus and the shot put are the same thing. She talked about hopes and dreams and shining on Washington state’s biggest stage. Now, after four trips to the state championships, she stepped to the top shelf of the podium.

Let me join the chorus of congrats with my personal “Atta kid.”

On the north side of the Basin, Ephrata’s McCall DeChenne bested a quality field in the 2A state meet, winning the 100-meter hurdles in 14.96 seconds. She’s just a sophomore, so we’re going to witness the development of a star over the next couple of years.

Othello softball took another run at the 2A state title over the weekend. The Huskies softball history is pretty amazing over the course of the past 18 years and coach Rudy Ochoa has been there every step of the way.

“Our tradition is to get the state tournament and run as deep as we can.” said big Rudy, who has won four 2A state championships since 1999.

The Huskies didn’t quite run as far as they wanted this year after dropping a 1-0 decision in the tournament opener in a pitching showcase. Othello senior Dominique Martinez struck out nine and Nizhoni Wheeler from Port Angeles mowed down 13.

I did a little figuring on the Huskies softball tradition. Since 2001, Othello has won three state championships, finished second three times and third a couple of times over the past 18 years.

The 2017 tournament was set up to showcase the Central Washington Athletic Association when Selah and Ellensburg advanced to the semifinals on the championship side and Othello and East Valley moved forward in the consolation bracket. Had things gone according to plan, the CWAC would have had two teams playing for the 2A state championship and two more playing for third place. It didn’t quite go that way.

Ellensburg lost to W.F. West and Selah was shutout by Port Angeles in the semifinals. Tumwater eliminated Othello and Orting sent East Valley packing.

As it turned out, Ellensburg beat Selah in the third-fourth place game. The CWAC was well represented anyway with four teams taking on the best Washington state has to offer.

Let’s not forget Othello seniors Tanaya Andersen and Katie Walker. I don’t think people outside of the tennis community realize just how hard it is to place at the state tournament. These seniors finished eighth in their final high school tournament. Even at the 2A level, there are the country club kids that have developed their game with private coaches, playing USTA Pacific Northwest section tennis. Mary-Frances Ballew of Selah has a clay court in her backyard, so the country club comes to her. Anderson and Walker, a couple of kids from the public courts, slugged their way to eighth place in spectacular fashion.

I also had the pleasure of watching Othello freshman Patrick Azevedo put his personal stamp on the 2A state championship with rounds of 73 and 76 at The Creek at Qualchan. It was the same day Kenedee Peters of Ephrata won her second 2A medalist honor over at Indian Canyon Golf Course in Spokane.

Yep, spring has sprung and we move onto summer activities. Thanks for the good times Columbia Basin kiddos.

Rodney Harwood is a sports writer for the Columbia Basin Herald and can be reached at rharwood@columbiabasinherald.com