LONGVIEW — Fist pumps were scarce. Wild celebrations were rare.
Yeah, runners wanted to get out in front, but in the Class 2A District IV track and field championships — they mainly just wanted to get in.
“It’s about getting into state,” said Woodland senior William Davis, who finished second in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles while placing third in pole vault. “Here, I’ll take second place over a fall.”
The top three placers from each event Friday qualified for the state finals, but there were plenty of local athletes able to find their way to the top of the podium as well.
One used to climbing to such heights is Washougal pole vaulter/javelin thrower Brendan Casey.
There was a buzz about the senior earlier in the day, one fan saying to another as the pole vault was well under way, “that kid from Washougal hasn’t even started yet!”
Casey lived up to the hype, vaulting 14 feet 6 inches to secure an easy victory. A couple hours later, he threw a personal best 173 feet 10 inches in the javelin and placed second.
“I feel that (buzz) a little bit,” said Casey, adding that he’s hoping to pole vault 16 feet in state. “But there weren’t really nerves because I knew what I had to do.”
Woodland’s Chase VanCleef and Charity Arn likely felt the same way.
VanCleef took first place in the shot put with a throw of 51 feet 7 inches. Arn, meanwhile, won the high jump by leaping 5 feet 3 inches.
And then there was Washougal distance runner Dylan Creoni, who won the boys 3,200 meters … even if it wasn’t in ideal fashion.
A strong wind prevented runners from wanting to take the early lead, so the first lap took a snail’s-pace 82 seconds to complete.
“That wasn’t a 3,200, it was a 2,800,” said Creoni, who finished with a time of 9:39.78. “After that first lap, I knew I couldn’t get the district record.”
Hockinson’s Chantell Blundell had a stellar day in the distance races as well, finishing second in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters with times of 5:40.15 and 12:10.6.
“Every race is a new learning experience,” said Blundell, pointing out that the wind was definitely noticeable during the race. “I’m happy. I was hoping to qualify for state and I did.”
Other Clark County athletes finishing second Friday include: Washougal’s Kelley Young (100 hurdles), Hockinson’s Mikeala Carrsow (400), Woodland’s Kelly Nigro (300 hurdles) and Woodland’s Jeremiah Arn (high jump).
Tumwater won the girls team title, while Hockinson, Woodland and Washougal finished fourth, seventh and ninth respectively.
W.F. West won the boys team crown — Washougal, Woodland and Hockinson placing fifth, seventh and 12th.
