The Sixth Time’s The Charm Hawkins’ Record Knocks Mead Legend From Books

Isaac Hawkins’ sixth course record had to be the most satisfying.

On a cool, rainy Wednesday afternoon otherwise commanded by the Mead Machine, Ferris senior Hawkins again stamped his name in the record books.

The name he replaced on Mead’s home cross country course (Whitworth College) was none other than Mead legend Matt Davis.

Hawkins completed the 3 miles in 14 minutes, 43 seconds - two ticks faster than Davis ran in 1993 when he won his third consecutive State AAA title.

“That was the idea,” said Hawkins, the defending state champ, of his strategy for the Greater Spokane League season-ender. “I knew the Mead runners always do well against us.”

Hawkins also holds course records at his home course, Finch Arboretum, Farragut State Park, and two Oregon sites - Sandy and Bend.

“That was a major, major bold move by Isaac, and Jason (Fayant) didn’t go with him,” said Mead boys coach Pat Tyson.

No, but Fayant (15:04) claimed second place and led seven Mead runners in the top 11 as the top-ranked Panthers (8-0) won their ninth consecutive league title and 12th overall.

“We have the luxury of all the depth,” said Tyson, whose Panthers have also won the last eight state meets. “Man, we’re 10-11 deep, and not much will change (for region and state).”

The second-ranked Ferris girls are a solid three deep, and they hope that will do for upcoming big meets.

Senior Jennifer Smith (17:45) led a 1-2-3 finish as the Saxons (8-0) wrapped up their second consecutive league title and seventh overall. Sophomore Jill Johnson (18:03) and junior Emily Hawkins (18:24), Isaac’s younger sister, had nearly 50 seconds on the first finisher for Mead (7-1).

The Panthers, however, ran without No. 1 Katie Pollock, who twisted her leg during a practice run Tuesday, and two other runners in the top seven.

“We knew (about the injuries), but we also knew anything could happen,” said Smith, who hasn’t lost since her season opener against an Oregon runner who already had one month under her belt.

“I saw two red (uniforms) behind me and I was really excited.”

“The fact that our top three have run so well all year led us to believe we had a shot for that to carry through to the championship,” said Saxons girls coach Wayne Gilman.

Ferris’ third-ranked boys (6-2) beat North Central (5-3) at the three-way to claim second.

In other meets, University’s second-ranked boys (7-1) finished in second place by sweeping a three-way at its Liberty Lake County Park. The Titans girls (6-2) also swept, to take third place.

U-Hi’s James Berry (15:56 for 3 miles) beat teammate Seth Mott by 10 seconds and led six Titans in the top 10. Third-place Joey Neuman (16:15) led Lewis and Clark (2-6) over Central Valley (0-8).

Jamie Borgan (19:18) of LC (4-4) scored a 21-second win, but six of the next nine runners were Titans, topped by runner-up Taraka Campbell. CV finished 2-6.

Gonzaga Prep swept its three-way at Finch Arboretum, with the fourth-ranked boys (5-3) edging Rogers 28-29 and the girls (4-4) getting a lift from freshman Carly Barnes.

Cameron Hatch (16:37 for 3.1 miles) of Rogers (3-5) led the first mile, G-Prep’s Jim Rucker (16:35) took charge halfway through, then Rogers’ Ryan Craig (16:27) came on for the win. Shadle Park (1-7) ran without No. 1 Casey Perry, who’s nursing an injury.

Barnes (20:21), in just her sixth race, beat Christa Eide of Shadle (4-4) by 5 seconds. Rogers (0-8) didn’t have a runner in the top 10.

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