Inspiration From Beyond Chavez’s Success At U-Hi Rooted In Loss, Hard Work

Look for the two ribbons on Dan Chavez’s shoes.

The gold ribbon is dedicated to former University High running standout Ryan Cross, who died in February 1996 after falling through ice that covered an irrigation ditch near Missoula.

The blue ribbon is for Dan Mueller, a Spokane artist and North Pines Junior High coach who died at age 30 in October 1996.

Chavez has pinned the ribbons to his jersey for all of U-Hi’s cross country meets this year.

Chavez will wear the ribbons on his shoes Saturday when U-Hi aims for the school’s first state title in any boys sport. State meet rules stipulate that jerseys must be free of any decorative additions.

Cross’ influence is still strong among Titans runners. The 1993 graduate, who owns the school record in the mile, placed third at the ‘92 state cross country meet. Cross attended the University of Montana on a track scholarship.

Mueller and Bill Berg, another track coach at North Pines, were instrumental in recruiting Chavez to running.

“Mr. Mueller was a big inspiration for me,” Chavez said. “Everything he had to say meant something to me.”

Chavez has drawn additional wisdom from U-Hi’s 20-year cross country coach, Bob Barbero.

Chavez’s junior season included average results, at least compared to the third-place finish he had at last week’s Region IV-4A meet.

Chavez placed 45th at last year’s regional meet, then 74th at state as the Titans finished runner-up. In both cases, Chavez ran No. 6 for U-Hi.

Barbero told Chavez that better numbers would come if he followed simple advice: “You get out of it what you put into it.”

So Chavez increased his running “base,” logging more than 600 miles over the summer. One moonlit night, he and fellow Titans senior Brian Blessing set out for a 6-mile run slightly before midnight. The spirits of the night beckoned, however, and the two pushed on for 14 miles.

Kris Martin and Jeff Rees ran ahead of Chavez last season, but the extra work launched Chavez into the No. 2 spot, behind state-champion contender Seth Mott.

Mott, the regional champion, and Chavez have run shoulder-to-shoulder all season in meets and practices.

“I love running with Seth, even though he’s beaten me every time,” Chavez said. “He’s been so inspirational for me.”

U-Hi became the first team to defeat Mead in a Greater Spokane League meet since 1987. Now the Titans aim to end Mead’s nine-year championship streak at state. During three of those years, U-Hi placed second.

Chavez said U-Hi students were informed during a recent assembly that his team may capture the first state title in school history.

“But I don’t think people pay much attention to cross country,” said Chavez, who referred to his full-time hobby as “an honest man’s sport.”

What he meant: Chavez supports drug tests for athletes. He said no cross country runner of any stature could train extensively and still use drugs.

A family friend has encouraged Chavez to enter law enforcement. Chavez wishes to combine running and that field when he begins college.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CROSS COUNTRY OUTLOOK Information on Saturday’s state cross country meets at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco:

4A races Times: Boys - 1:30 p.m. Girls - 11:30 a.m. Top returning teams: Boys - Mead, ninth consecutive title, AAA. Girls - Snohomish, champion, AAA. Local teams: Boys - University, Ferris, Mead, Gonzaga Prep. Girls - Mead, Lewis and Clark, U-Hi. Favorites: Boys - U-Hi. Girls - Snohomish, Eisenhower.

3A races Times: Boys - 1 p.m. Girls - 11 a.m. Top returning teams: Boys - Capital, second place, AA. Girls - East Valley (Spokane), champion, AA. Local teams: Boys and girls - EV. Favorites: Boys - Seattle Prep, Capital. Girls - Newport (Bellevue), EV.

2A races Times: Boys - 12:30 p.m. Girls - 10:30 a.m. Top returning teams: Boys - EV (Yakima), champion, AA. Girls - Newport (Spokane), sixth, A/B. Local teams: Boys - Lakeside. Girls - Newport, Riverside. Favorites: Boys - Lakeside. Girls - Ephrata, Newport.

1A/B races Times: Boys - noon. Girls - 10 a.m. Top returning teams: Boys and girls - Chelan, both second place. Local teams: Boys - St. George’s, Freeman, Colfax. Girls - St. George’s. Favorites: Boys - Chelan, St. George’s. Girls - Chelan.