Returning Athletes Put Teams In Contention For Honors

Boys cross country

Greater Spokane League cross country coaches consider their programs to be part of one big happy family.

“We couldn’t coach against a better group of people, that’s the beauty of it,” said North Central coach Jon Knight.

This year, the GSL could be taking this togetherness thing a bit too literally.

Based on returning athletes, five or six GSL schools have the wherewithal to contend for post-season honors.

That comes from a region that boasts seven of the top eight ranked boys teams in pre-season and qualifies only three to state. A team could have a superb year and still fall short.

Mead, the eight-time defending state champion, is ranked No. 1. Eighth-ranked Gonzaga Prep last weekend won the Edmonds Invitational over four schools rated in front of it.

Unranked North Central, winner of the Flathead Invitational, has on paper the best group of five runners based on last year’s regional.

“The rankings pretty much tell the story,” said Mead coach Pat Tyson. “North Central was forgotten but I didn’t forget them.”

Rogers and Shadle Park have three of the league’s finer individuals.

Distance running talent abounds in the GSL and on the North Side, where five of last year’s top 30 state placers perform.

“It is conceivable the top 10 of 12 or 13 runners in the state are from the GSL,” said Tyson. “We’re back to the days of dominating beyond domination.”

Shadle Park coach Randy Lothspeich, whose team won only one GSL meet last year, summed up the state of GSL cross country.

“We’ve improved enough to scare three, four or five teams in this league and may not get over the hill,” he said of his Highlanders. “In a way that’s too bad. But it’s reality.”

Mead after ninth straight title

A pair of top-seven state finishers will lead Mead on its quest for a ninth straight team championship.

Jason Fayant, who was third in state, and Morgan Thompson, who took seventh, are two of four Panther seniors who were part of last year’s title.

“Jason and Morgan have improved a lot and are certainly two of the top five runners in state,” said Tyson.

Behind the Panther duo are twins Ryan and Chad Wiser and Damon Ristau. Battling for top seven berths are league junior varsity champion Tom Becker, a sophomore, junior Chris Duelen, senior C.J. Skyberg and junior Josh McLellan.

“I’m glad we’re mostly seniors,” said Tyson. “We were able to pull it off last year, but I’m not stupid. Everybody is gunning for us and everybody has the potential to do it.”

Gonzaga’s sights set high

After finishing third in the GSL with a 6-2 record and showing their heels to the field in Edmonds, the veteran Bullpups are flying high.

“I like to think we’ll be in the hunt,” said coach Tony Maucione. “Edmonds was at least a good start, a very impressive start.”

Every runner but one is back, including junior Jim Rucker who finished 26th in state last year.

Others are senior Kirk Larson, junior Rick White, North Side seniors Kevin Carlin and Donald Weiber and junior Tim Ulmen.

Newcomer junior Phil Long, also from the North Side, won his flight at Edmonds in his first race ever. Jim Falkner and Brett Hergert contend.

“They are really committed to qualifying for state and figure they are going to place,” said Maucione. “Like Edmonds, they expect to do well there.”

NC has necessary ingredients

When the fourth-place regional team returns seven of its top nine runners, including two state placers, things are in place for a challenge.

“I won’t count any chickens before they’re hatched,” said Knight. “Mead hasn’t lost in eight years. But I think we’re pretty strong.”

Seniors Jon Caballero, ninth in state, and Justin Hill, 30th, are among the league’s best.

Varsity returnees are senior Brad Dahlquist, junior Ryan Keeney, sophomore Wes Perez and senior Josh Stowell.

Junior Troy McLaughlin has moved into the varsity. Erik Johnson, Brian Donovan and David Robinson, also juniors, and two freshmen, Ben Clark and Adam Lovano are trying to get there.

“We had nine kids at running came this summer,” said Knight. “They’re a dedicated group of kids who deserve to have a little bit of success.”

Can Shadle improve record?

Seven Highlander runners logged 500 miles of training this summer, hoping to improve on last year’s 1-7 record.

Senior Casey Perry is the 11th best returning regional runner and state meet aspirant. During the school’s 3.6 mile time trial, he obliterated the school record by 30 seconds.

“He had a stress fracture and didn’t run last spring,” said Lothspeich, “but he came back and had a pretty decent summer. He’s absolutely on top of his game.”

Perry is one of six Highlander returnees, including senior Rion Ithomitis, juniors Levi Penick, Eric Wynne, sophomores Jeff Klages and Charles Howlett.

Newcomers include sophomores Marshall Stanton and Rocky Steele.

“We’re going to be competitive,” said Lothspeich, “but we’re going to have a tough, tough time.”

Pirates are the GSL’s sleeper

Returning state 15th placer Cameron Hatch and sophomore Ryan Craig, who was 29th in the region, give the Pirates a running start.

Four others, said coach Steve Kiesel, make the Pirates solid.

“Right now I think we’re running as well as any team I’ve had,” said Kiesel. “I’m really excited.”

Seniors Joey Thornton and Matt Burnham were last year’s numbers three and four varsity runners.

Freshman Lerrin Hatch, the city eighth-grade champion, is cut from the same cloth as his older brother. Another freshman, Chris Olinger completes the top six.

Varsity prospects are freshman Lucas Anderson, a naturally gifted 400 meter runner, Glen Phanco and Andy Dahl, hoping to improve on last year’s winless season.

, DataTimes