SARA GETTYS/Yakima Herald-Republic Dana Wells of Riverside Christian runs the boys 300-meter hurdles at the Class 2B and 1B district track meets Friday at Kumler Field. Henry Matai of Lyle races at left. SARA GETTYS/Yakima Herald-Republic La Salle’s Alexis Bonny starts the girl’s 4x100 relay during the Class 2B and 1B district track and field meet on Friday at Kumler Field.
YAKIMA -- For Dana Wells, there was never any question about it, a family calling made it inevitable. For Natalie Nobbs, the process took much longer but considering her athleticism she, too, seemed a natural for it.
Riverside Christian's track and field program starts with the 300-meter hurdles and spans out from there. An oversimplification maybe, but listen to the coach:
"I may not know much," said Scott Wells, Dana's father, "but I know the 300 hurdles."
That's the line he used to entice Nobbs, a senior, to finally run the race after a prep career of sprints, jumps and relays. A month ago she gave in and now she's got the school record, a mark previously held by Sharelle Wells, Dana's sister.
Starting to get the picture here?
"Yeah, my dad's let me know how fast he ran it," said Dana, referring to Scott's prep days at Davis. "He ran 39.2 and I'll get that real soon. By next year I'll be in the 38s."
Wells and Nobbs cruised in their specialties Friday at the Greater Columbia 2B and 1B district meets at Kumler Field, where athletes fought in each event for single berths to the state meets in Cheney next week.
Dana Wells was in on four wins in the 2B meet, capturing 100 in 10.9 seconds, sweeping the hurdles (15.3, 40.1) and anchoring the 4x100 to a season best of 44.2.
Nobbs will be a busy girl at state, too, winning the 100 (12.7) and 200 (26.2) prior to setting the aforementioned school record in the 300 hurdles at 45.7. She placed second in the long jump but exceeded the qualifying standard in a duel with winner Alexis Bonny of La Salle.
"This will be my first time doing four events at state, but everything builds up to the 300 hurdles," said Dana, a junior. "That's my race, and my dad and I are always talking about the strategy and technique. I was second at state last year and I want to change that."
Seeing the explosive strength of Nobbs for four years, Scott Wells was itching to get her in the long hurdles. But as a sprint and jump specialist for so long it was difficult to have the opportunity.
In her final season, however, the Crusaders steered away from building relay teams and Nobbs agreed to try the 100 hurdles.
"I just couldn't get three steps between hurdles," said the 5-foot-5 Nobbs. "I finally tried the 300s and there was a horrible wind that day. But I still felt pretty good about. It's been exciting to have a new event."
La Salle's girls recently assumed the lead over Riverside Christian in the role of a small-school relay powerhouse. The Lightning won both the 4x100 and 4x200 at last year's state 2B meet and they did it with underclassmen.
But the follow-up season has been a bit frustrating with the loss of Alicia Ashby and then her replacement, Savannah Bonny, who rested a hip injury on Friday. But intact is the veteran trio of Alexis Bonny, Megan Bonny and anchor Monica Schneider. Julia Riel filled in for Savannah Bonny in both relays and La Salle took care of business just fine, winning with times of 51.9 and 1:50.8.
"They're feeling the pressure a little," said coach Tim Briffett. "They're worried about being state champions and not running as fast. But they're getting there. We needed to get through today, then they can go after it this week."
Alexis Bonny not only handled her leadoff chores on the two relays but won the 100 hurdles in 16.1 and long jump with a career best of 17-7 1/2.
"I've always liked leading off the relays -- that's where I want to be," Bonny said. "We've had to use different girls this season a few times but we'll be OK at state. We'll be ready."
CLASS 1B: Klickitat's Herschel Sanchey swept the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 and two extra pole vaulters qualified for state in the boys meet. Trout Lake-Glenwood edged Bickleton 138-127 for the team title.
Klickitat freshman Samantha Brewer won four events in the girls meet, and Liz Vogt's sprint triple led TLG's defending state champions to the team title. The Mustangs won all three relays.
CLASS 2B BOYS
Team scores: Lyle-Wishram 196, Riverside Christian 185, La Salle 154.
Top three placers
100: Dana Wells (RC) 10.9, Joe Fischer (L) 11.5, Kent Gartrell (RC) 11.5. 200: Fischer (L) 22.8, Delwin Bazilme (RC) 23.7, Ty Freemantle (LW) 24.3. 400: Robert Phelps (LW) 52.1, Ian Hayes (L) 53.5, Jim Price (LW) 54.7. 800: Taylor Cliett (L) 2:02.2, Luke Miller (RC) 2:04.1, Philip Fredriksson (LW) 2:18.2. 1600: 1, Cliett (L) 5:05.5, Justin Odman (RC) 5:54.0, Bradley Hopp (RC) 5:54.6. 3200: Miller (RC) 12:35.8, Brian Neifert (LW) 12:52.4, Hopp (RC) 13:06.4.
110H: D. Wells (RC) 15.3, Henry Matai (LW) 16.0, Evan Rodriguez (L) 18.1. 300H: D. Wells (RC) 40.1, Matai (LW) 43.7, Patrick Jirhjahn (LW) 45.4. 4x100: RC 44.2. 4x400: La Salle 3:33.1, Lyle-Wishram 3:33.4, RC 3:46.5.
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