Runners Team Up For Invite

Cross country

Gonzaga Prep boys coach Tony Maucione began the Bullpup Invitational in 1985 to prevent too much flightiness at this time of year.

Maucione saw the need for a true team meet in early October, when cross country teams are looking ahead to district and state. The SunFair invite in Yakima, right before the Bullpup, and the Richland invite, conducted the same week, are divided into flights and don’t project true team scoring.

The Bullpup begins at 9:30 Saturday morning at Finch Arboretum. Varsity girls run at 11, followed by varsity boys at 11:30.

This edition will draw an overflow of 21 teams for the 5,000-meter race.

Sandpoint’s boys and Shadle Park’s girls have registered to defend their titles. Shadle’s Sara Hall is the returning champion.

By the numbers

Had last Saturday’s SunFair been scored as a dual meet, the second-ranked Ferris boys would have edged top-ranked Mead 27-28.

Still, Ferris coach Mike Hadway is concerned about Mead’s pack and the possibility of some Panther breaking up Ferris’ 1-2-3 punch.

Mead’s No. 5 had better times than the Saxons’ No. 4 and 5. Also, Mead’s Jason Fayant outclocked Paul Harkins and Dave Schruth, the Nos. 2 and 3 runners for Ferris. The teams’ Greater Spokane League dual is Oct. 18 at Whitworth.

Miller’s time

University sophomore Jaime Miller set the flight one (No. 7 runners) record at SunFair.

Miller, who ran the 3 miles in 20 minutes, 9 seconds, broke the previous record by 15 seconds.

Riehle impressive

Jessica Riehle of West Valley owns girls’ course records at all seven Frontier League sites. Riehle added Riverside’s Bear Lake County Park to her collection last Thursday.

If memory serves correct, the 18:45 Riehle ran at Hangman Valley Golf Course last October was also a District 7-AA record.

, DataTimes