Prep roundup: Moses Lake's Elly Johnson caps career with state championship
Michael Najera/courtesy photo Moses Lake’s Elly Johnson won a state championship in the discus at the 4A state meet at Mt. Tahoma High School.
KENT — Elly Johnson anxiously awaited the final round of throws during the state championship meet Friday at Mt. Tahoma High School.
Her mark of 135 feet, seven inches — a new personal record — had propelled the Moses Lake senior into first place.
“When I released the disc I knew it was a good throw, but I was worried because I needed a big throw to win,” Johnson said.
The question was if the throw would stand up or not.
When the rest of the competitors had failed to best Johnson’s heave, the reality started to set in. Four trips to the final meet of the postseason had culminated with a state championship.
“It’s almost indescribable,” Johnson said. “Four years of hard work, ups and downs, and obstacles, but I finally did it. All this time and my championship wouldn’t have been possible without my coach Mrs. (Tiffany) Quilter, the support from my family, friends and everyone I’ve met along the way.”
Johnson entered state ranked third after — at the time — setting a personal record at the District 6 Championships of 135 feet, three inches. Eclipsing 130 feet, something she hadn’t done since her freshman season, gave Johnson even more confidence heading into the final meet of her high school career.
“I’ve been chasing that number for three years and to finally hit it and improve by two feet was a boost of confidence,” she said. “I needed that going into state ranked third.
While Johnson captured her first state championship, junior Spencer Kimbro went four-for-four in his events.
Moses Lake’s standout wheelchair athlete added to his gaudy total of first-place medals with impressive wins in the 100, 400, 800 and 1600 meters. Those four wins made it 10 total state championships for Kimbro in his three-year high school career.
Draven Nevarez threw over 200 feet in the javelin, but he was unable to overtake nationally ranked Curtis Stradley of Battle Ground. Stradley won with a mark of 207 feet, three inches. Nevarez was able to reach the podium and finished third, throwing 202 feet, two inches.
Freshman Camille Carpenter finished 15th (2:23.00) in the prelims of the 800.
4A team scores
Boys
1. Mead 39
2. Jackson 31
34. Moses Lake 6
Girls
1. Tahoma 91
2. Union 56
20. Moses Lake 10
Class 2A
Boys
Discus: Isaiah Perez, Othello, 137-11, seventh
Girls
400: Mya Spencer, Ephrata, 58.45, fifth
100 hurdles: McCall DeChenne, Ephrata, 14.96, first
300 hurdles: McCall DeChenne, Ephrata, 45.53, fourth; Brissia Valenciano, Othello, 48.00, seventh
Shot put: Mashayla Schaapman, Quincy, 36-06.25, sixth
Team scores
Boys
1. Ridgefield 48
1. Cheney 48
40. Othello 2
Girls
1. Sehome 57.5
2. Fife 52
10. Ephrata 19
41. Quincy 3
43. Othello 2
Class 1B team scores
Boys
1. Mount Vernon Christian 118
2. Lummi 67
Girls
1. Oakesdale 92
2. Mount Vernon Christian 90
11. Almira/Coulee-Hartline 25
Class 2B team scores
Boys
1. Northwest Christian (Colbert) 77
2. Northwest Christian (Lacey) 46
Girls
1. Northwest Christian (Lacey) 82
2. La Conner 45
14. Lind-Ritzville/Sprague 12
21. Soap Lake 8
Class 1A team scores
Boys
1. King’s 67
2. Deer Park 50
33. Royal 5
Girls
1. Lakeside 51
2. Cashmere 43
11. Royal 25
Boys soccer
Overlake 1, Wahluke 0
SUMNER — Wahluke was denied the 1A state championship, losing to Overlake 1-0.
Overlake defender Nathan Cunningham scored the game’s lone goal in the first half.
Baseball
Pomeroy 6, Almira/Coulee-Hartline 3
CENTRALIA — Almira/Coulee-Hartline led 3-0 after two innings before Pomery stormed back to win the 1B state championship 6-3.
The Pirates chipped away and eventually scored the go-ahead run in the sixth inning on an RBI triple by Ryan Wolf. Pomery added two insurance runs in the seventh inning.
Softball
ACH 1-2 at state tournament
YAKIMA — Almira/Coulee-Hartline defeated Rainier Christian 10-0 in first round of the 1B state tournament at Gateway Sports Complex in Yakima before losing to eventual champion Pomeroy in the semifinals 6-5.
The Warriors were blanked by Sunnyside Christian 10-0 in their first consolation game.
Warden wins once at state
RICHLAND — Warden finished 1-2 at the 1A state tournament.
The Cougars lost to Bellevue Christian in the first round 11-3. Warden staved off eliminated with a win against Deer Park 7-4 before losing to Chewelah 9-6.
Tennis
2A girls doubles: Natalie Thomsen/Rachel Faw, Quincy, seventh; Tanaya Andersen/Katie Walker, Othello, eighth