Individuals Will Dictate Boys Scene
Boys cross country
Coaches of the Valley’s Greater Spokane League boys cross country teams have different reasons to be encouraged.
Bob Barbero’s University Titans, who were eighth in league last year, are improved in toto.
“Last year we essentially had five No. 4 runners,” said Barbero of his seven-member varsity. “After our two-mile time trial, on paper they’re looking pretty good.”
Dennis McGuire’s Central Valley Bears, who finished last, have two of the league’s better runners.
“We’ll one-two people,” said McGuire. “If our No. 3 runner steps up we can beat some teams.”
Ferris has three strong runners that make the Saxons the GSL’s odds-on favorite and seven-time state champion Mead will be there. Beyond that, the league looks to be wide open and improved.
Titans build on youth, numbers
Although University is led by seniors Kyle Hentze and J.R. Roberts, it is the youth and size of his turnout that excites Barbero.
“We’re improved,” said Barbero. “The question now is, who’s number three?”
Both Hentze and Roberts cracked the senior class top five during a recent two-mile time trial.
A trio of juniors, 10 sophomores and 9 freshmen also made a dent in their respective class records.
Junior T.J. Sulzle, who came to U-Hi with promise, made number three on the list.
“He could be our number one,” said Barbero. “He’s running possessed.”
Also returned from last year’s district race are improved juniors James Berry and Mike Johnson.
Others hoping to make U-Hi’s top seven are seniors Peter Gay and Todd List, sophomores Dan Chavez and Seth Mott and classmates Matt Henshaw and Pat Maguire.
Returning letter winners are Jeff Rees, Sean Ruscio, Harrison Grafos, Dan Kearsley and Matt Pierce.
A quartet of freshmen ran among the top five best time trial marks.
“We have really good leadership, really good juniors and lots of young blood,” said Barbero. “The future looks bright.”
CV duo racing for league honors
Individual stars may outshine favored teams in the GSL and Central Valley boasts two of its own.
Junior Robby Warnock is being mentioned in the same breath with the league’s best and senior Brandon Larson will be among the front runners in most dual meets.
“Nobody is going to push us around up front,” said McGuire. “Robby should run with about everybody. Brandon can run five miles at 5:30 pace and never change.”
During last week’s All-Valley meet, McGuire may have found the number three runner he was seeking.
Sophomore Richie Lentz finished second in his race in a solid time.
“He’s never been out before,” said McGuire, “and hadn’t raced yet.”
Others vying for varsity berths are his son Brien McGuire, Hoa Duong, Matt Carlton, Tyson Rockwell, Ryan Bragdon, juniors all, and sophomore Josh Hemenway.
“We’re a young squad,” said McGuire. “I don’t know how we will develop.”
, DataTimes