Grays Harbor Newspaper Group
ABERDEEN — the Ray Ryan Memorial Grays Harbor All-County Track Championships will return to its roots Saturday at Aberdeen’s Miller Junior High School.
Aberdeen hosted the first all-county meet (when it was an elementary school event) in 1923 at Stewart Field, according to former North Beach coach and meet historian Bob Wiley. It has never staged the high school version of the event — an omission partly due to maintenance problems at the Miller track. The track was resurfaced and replaced a couple of years ago.
On Saturday in Aberdeen, field events begin at 11 a.m. Running events are scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
This will be the 59th renewal of the all-county meet, named in memory of the late Daily World sports writer Ray Ryan. All Grays Harbor County schools that offer track are scheduled to compete.
North Beach’s boys and Ocosta’s girls made meet history last year by becoming the first Class 2B schools to capture team titles.
This year, East County rivals Elma and Montesano probably rank as the meet co-favorites, although North Beach’s boys are again expected to make a strong showing due to their prowess in the throwing events.
North Beach’s Seth Bridge is the state’s top-ranked male 2B discus thrower at 173-5 and teammate Tawni Blankenship, who has cleared 9-6, owns the same distinction among 2B female pole vaulters.
North Beach sisters Natasha and Nannette Fruh are second-ranked in the 2B class in the girls shot and discus, respectively, while Taholah’s Levi Jackson is second-ranked in the 1B boys javelin.
Harborites with the third-best state marks include Montesano’s Shayla Floch in the girls high jump, Bridge in the boys shot and Taholah’s Celisha Ralston in the girls 1B discus.
Hoquiam’s Anthony Nash and Elma’s Ira Hartford are expected to duel in the boys sprints, with North Beach’s Miguel Eastman also possessing strong marks in the 100, 200 and 400 meters.
Fishermen sweep Hyaks
OCEAN SHORES — Ilwaco batted past North Beach, 11-1 and 8-3, in a Pacific 2B League doubleheader at North Bay Park on Tuesday.
The Hyaks (0-8, 1-8) struggled with errors in the first game and were able to muster just seven hits combined in the two contests.
“The first game we were a little sluggish and we didn’t play well with the errors,” North Beach head coach Dave Hinchen said. “In both games, walks were our Achilles heel. That is what cost us, but in the second game, I was really happy with the way our team battled.”
Hinchen cited Chance Beck for his pitching performance in the second game.
North Beach hosts Pe Ell-Willapa Valley today.
Game 1
Ilwaco 217 10 — 11 6 0 North Beach 001 00 — 1 2 4
Tapio and Wood; Pinnell, Pope (3) and Sotomish.
RBI: Ilwaco — Tapio 2, McMullen 2, Wood, Sparks, Dixon, Tynkila. NB — Pope. Doubles: Ilwaco — Tapio. Two hits: Ilwaco — Sparks.
Winning pitcher — Tapio (11 strikeouts, three walks). Losing pitcher —Pinnell (three strikeouts, seven walks).
Game 2
Ilwaco 201 022 1 — 8 7 1 North Beach 100 020 0 — 3 5 1
McMullen, Frank (7) and Wood; Beck, Rowling (6) and Pope.
RBI: Ilwaco — Wood 3, Young 2. NB — Sotomish, Pope, Pinnell. Doubles:Ilwaco — McMullen 2, Wood, Young. NB — Pope. Four hits: Ilwaco — Wood. Two hits: Ilwaco — McMullen.
Winning pitcher — McMullen (seven strikeouts, four walks). Losing pitcher — Beck (four strikeouts, eight walks).
