Behind the swift running of sprinter Lateashea Currie, Heritage won the Class 4A district girls track and field meet Friday at McKenzie Stadium. But no team flexed its muscle more than the Tigers.

Led by junior Gaby Dixson, Battle Ground swept the weight events, winning the shot, discus and javelin during the two-day meet. Even more incredible, the Tigers placed 1-2-3 in the shot.

Dixson won the shot on Friday, to go with her discus title from Wednesday. Kayla Smith and Angela Lindersmith took the top two placings in javelin.

Of the 117 points the district runner-up Tigers scored, 54 came from the three throwing events.

What’s behind Battle Ground’s surge in the weights? Well, running, of course.

Dixson, who won the shot with a personal best throw of 39 feet, 51/2 inches, said she and her weight mates are doing a lot of sprints, and run stadium stairs at least twice a week.

“Last year, we used to run only for punishment,” Dixson said.

Dixson, a state participant in shot and discus last year, hasn’t lost either event this season. Her career results are a little better in the shot, but Dixson said she has made the most improvement this season in discus. She thinks a top-four finish at state is possible in both events.

Dixson isn’t the only 4A Greater St. Helens League girl with heady state expectations. Right with her is Currie, who helped Heritage score 135 points to win the team title.

Currie had a hand in four event championships, winning the 100 and 200 meters on her own, and running the anchor leg on the Timberwolves’ victorious 400 and 800 relays.

Currie, a junior, is a relative track novice, trying the sport for the first time last season. She overcame her lack of track knowledge as a sophomore with top-six placings in the 100 and 200 at state.

This year, she’s far better prepared. Currie often finds herself on the Web, checking out results around the state to learn about her upcoming competition.

“It’s way different for me,” she said. “Last year, I was scared. I didn’t know what to do. Now, I feel good. I know what I can do. I’m not saying I’m going to get first every time, but I’ll try my best.”

Heritage and Battle Ground grabbed most of the blue ribbons, combining to win championships in 13 of the 18 district events. Besides Currie, Heritage also had a multiple-event winner in Chawncy McClenan, who won the long jump and triple jump.

One other two-event champion was Skyview’s Priscilla Timmons, who won the 1,600 and 3,200. One of Friday’s highlights came from Mountain View’s Christine Rice, who set a personal best by clearing 5-8 in winning the high jump. Skyview placed third in the team standings with 100 points.