Sunfair Has Stellar Field

East Valley figures to be the best team missing from Saturday’s high-powered SunFair Invitational at Yakima.

SunFair organizer Phil English expects every AAA boys and girls team ranked in the top 10 to compete at Franklin Park.

Many of the best AA teams have also committed, but the top-ranked EV girls have already run at Sandy (Ore.) and Farragut (Idaho).

SunFair attracts more Washington runners than any other event except state. The event is divided into seven flights, the first (No. 7 runners) beginning at 11:30 p.m.

Mead’s boys, who have won nine consecutive SunFairs, should add to their legend. Ferris and Snohomish tied for the girls title last year, and both should vie against Mead, University and Eisenhower for this year’s crown.

Snohomish, however, may compete without defending State AAA champion Laura Snipes (leg injury). Ferris’ Jennifer Smith is a strong favorite, and teammates Jill Johnson and Emily Hawkins could win flights. Puyallup’s Alayna Post is back to defend her title.

Isaac Hawkins of Ferris may challenge the 3-mile course record of 14 minutes, 48 seconds set by Mead’s Matt Davis in 1993.

, DataTimes