In The Running While Ferris Is Favored, Mead Still Has Plenty Of Power In Cross Country

Mead’s cross country team is in transition.

Gone are runners who often made the Panthers’ championships inevitable. In their place is a group of young runners, including three from last year’s seventh title team.

“On paper, I think we’re the underdog,” said Mead coach Pat Tyson. “The kids like that.”

Tyson is not conceding the end of the lucky seven run. Nor is Shadle Park coach Randy Lothspeich.

It’s just that favored Ferris, which gave Mead fits last year, has three of the GSL’s top 11 runners back. And other schools, including three from the North Side, are improved.

“Some think it will be Ferris’ turn but my money’s still on Mead,” he said. “I think they’re going to be the guns again.”

Added Tyson, “I think we have a real good team. And there’s no hiding that the tradition is there.”

Shadle Park’s Casey Perry, Rogers’ Cameron Hatch and North Central’s Justin Hill all have top 15 regional, and thus state, qualifying capabilities.

The Greater Spokane and Big Nine leagues are pooling their three team and 15 individual berths.

There’s no denying, based upon preseason state and national rankings, that state distance power primarily lies within the two leagues. Any of four teams could win.

“The guys know that,” said Tyson. “The door’s wide open. Anyone could be hot. It could be us.”

Mead building around youth

The Panthers’ seven varsity runners will come from a turnout approaching 100 and most are young.

Veteran Cody Enzler, last year’s eighth-place district finisher, decided not to turn out. Two other senior veterans, Mark Mohrlang and Adam Cyr, and junior Morgan Thompson are being tested by newcomers.

Included are twins Ryan and Chad Wiser who ran one-two in a time trial. Junior David Green is the district junior varsity champion and talented but injury-prone Jason Fayant can be a factor.

“He’s a very good runner,” said Tyson, “definitely the best junior in league when healthy.”

Senior Lee Hodin has been a surprise and junior Damon Ristau is running among the team’s top seven.

“They are further ahead of where we were last year,” said Tyson. “We may be a team without a star, although Jason and Morgan have special potential if they grow into it.”

Coach returns to guide Indians

Five runners from last year’s fourth-place North Central team greeted the return of coach Jon Knight.

Knight got married and, becoming the father of three stepchildren and a daughter, needed a year off.

“I thought I’d be too busy and probably am,” he said. “But I missed the kids.”

The Indians are young, with only one senior on varsity at this time. Last year’s fourth-place district runner David Kemano is injured.

“He’s trying to work himself back and might by the end of the season,” said Knight.

Juniors Hill and Rob Caballero finished fifth and seventh, and the Indians were second at the Flathead Invitational in Kalispell, Mont.

Senior Chris Greiner and junior Josh Stowell are improved.

Newcomers, junior Brad Dahlquist and freshman Wes Perez, have moved impressively into the lineup, making NC even stronger.

Sophomores David Robinson, Brian Donovan and Eric Johnson are three for the future.

Seniors Eriz Panza and Jim Parsons are seeking varsity spots.

“We may be a year away but we have a shot to beat some people,” said Knight.

Shadle and Perry young, talented

In Perry, a junior, the Highlanders have the league’s second-best returning individual time.

“He got everybody’s attention last year,” said Lothspeich. “I think this year he’s going to make an impact.”

The fact there are 15 state berths available instead of five is a plus for the young Highlanders.

“Our only question mark is we lost our No. 2 man to graduation and will have a tough time replacing him,” said Lothspeich.

Perry’s teammates Martin Aguilar, a senior, and Rion Ithomitis, a junior, will attempt to remedy that.

Freshman newcomer Charles Howlett, younger brother of former Shadle stars Andy and Mark, is stepping in.

“He’s got the same genes, I’ll tell you,” said Lothspeich, “and might be the best of them all.”

Sophomores Levi Pennick and Eric Wynne, plus junior Tim Iverson, are other varsity likely runners.

“We’re a better team,” said Lothspeich. ” We might be a whole lot better. I’m really excited.”

Junior runner is Rogers’ bright light

As a sophomore, Hatch finished 27th in district.

“He did not have a good race,” said his coach, Steve Kiesel. “It was just the pressure of being a sophomore and not being in that position before.”

A summer of training with Ferris’ runners and attendance at the University of Oregon track camp could make him forget last season.

“I believe he’ll be right there,” said Kiesel of Hatch’s state prospects.

And if fellow junior Sebastian Townsend gets healthy, Kiesel likes his team’s league chances.

“If we can just stay away from injuries,” Kiesel said, “we’ll be fighting it out for No. 3. I don’t mind putting that pressure on the kids.”

Hatch, Townsend, last year’s No.2 Pirate runner Joe Thornton, Matt Burnham and senior Jeff Whiston were all part of last year’s varsity.

Sophomore Damien Roy also returns and freshman Ryan Craig will have an impact.

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