Saxons Top State Poll; Tigers Hope For Strong Finish

GSL girls cross country

Without competing, Ferris rose from No. 2 to No. 1 in the girls cross country state coaches poll.

Defending State AAA champion Snohomish, the preseason favorite, opened the season with a loss to Eisenhower at the Shoreline Invitational.

Ferris, which finished third at state last year - five points behind Snohomish - assumed the top position in a poll released Sept. 19.

Voting for Ferris is as easy as 1-2-3.

Back in the Saxons’ lineup are senior Jennifer Smith, junior Emily Hawkins and sophomore Jill Johnson, all of whom finished in the top 19 at state last year.

Smith, the reigning Region IV champ in cross country and State AAA 3,200-meter champ in track and field, should vie for the state harrier title in November.

“Right now, I think she’ll be in contention for that, barring injury,” said Ferris coach Wayne Gilman.

On the subject of injuries, Lewis and Clark may start slowly this year as top returner Jamie Rosenquist rehabilitates a leg injury. By the time of the regional meet - assuming Rosenquist is at full strength - the Tigers may contend for a state berth.

Ferris trio could lead way

Outside of Snohomish, no team can boast of such talented returners as Ferris.

Smith finished seventh at state, one spot ahead of Johnson, while Hawkins placed ninth at region and 19th at state.

As the season began, Hawkins looked to supplant Johnson as the No. 2.

Lodged at No. 4 is junior Cynthia Wallace, another state veteran.

Gilman said he’d stack his top four against any in the state. Whether Ferris wins its first state title since 1991 depends on the next three.

In line for the other three varsity spots are junior Sara Doughty, sophomores Bree Belstad and Krista McNaught-Davis - a University High transfer - and freshman Rachel Maughan, last year’s eighth-grade all-city winner. Four other runners off Maughan’s strong Chase Middle School team opted for other sports.

Junior Carrie Van Horn, who could have cracked the top seven, injured her collarbone while biking and won’t compete. Van Horn would have made a strong team stronger.

“Especially at the front of the pack, it’s as good as any we’ve had,” said Gilman, in his 13th year.

Tigers lure blue-chipper

Fueling LC’s enthusiasm, despite the injury to sophomore Rosenquist, is the first-time appearance of state track and field veteran Jamie Borgan.

“She’s still learning how to run 3 miles,” Coach Wes Marburger said of the junior, who finished fourth at region in the 3,200 last spring.

Rosenquist, daughter of Spokane distance star Kim Jones, took fourth at region last autumn, the fourth-best time for a freshman. Rosenquist is fighting lower-leg pain that began during track season.

“We’re going to be patient with her, make sure she has a healthy season,” Marburger said. “We are very excited about the program and anticipate being strong at regionals.”

Other varsity returners are senior Heather Swanson, the team captain, and juniors Sara Larsen-Cooper and Madeleine Haag.

In the running for varsity spots are senior Claudine Musgrove, sophomore Michelle Scheibner and freshmen Emily Fuller and Mindy Noble. Fuller and Noble finished 1-2 among Sacajawea Middle School runners last year.

“We’re excited for the second half (of the season),” Marburger said.

“The appearance at first may be that LC has a good team but not a state contender.

“Then if (Rosenquist) returns, she’ll have a huge impact on the team.”

, DataTimes