Mead Harriers’ Reign At Stake At State Meet

Mead may need a miracle to continue its string of boys state cross country championships.

The Panthers will run in Pasco on Saturday, its nine-year reign in jeopardy. The team qualified for state only as the third place team from Spokane.

“We have no front runners and are 15 seconds a man behind University,” said coach Pat Tyson. “That’s five seconds a mile, and we’re going to have to believe we can move towards that spot.”

Nothing is out of the question in a meet where four Greater Spokane League schools, Gig Harbor and Snohomish will duke it out for state honors.

Mead finished third behind U-Hi and Ferris with Gonzaga Prep finishing fourth, two points in front of Lewis and Clark.

Panther runners finished between 17th and 31st in district.

Mt. Spokane junior Tom Becker goes to state as the region’s number two individual. Rogers sophomore Chris Olinger has also qualified for state.

Prep seniors Jim Rucker and Rick White finished 10th and 11th overall to lead the Bullpups.

Saving their best for right time

Mead’s girls cross country team may have had to settle for a share of the GSL season championship, but they were at their best in regionals.

The Panthers finished second to favored Eisenhower by a mere three points, but placed well ahead of the other Spokane qualifiers, Lewis and Clark and University.

The one-two-three punch of Kelley Mattingly, Annie McCabe and Rachae Probst, who finished third, fifth and 13th, lifted the Panthers, as they have all year long.

McCabe won two league meets and finished second twice, including against U-Hi during a three-point team loss.

Mattingly finished second twice, as well as taking a third and fourth. Probst had three thirds and a fourth in her league outings.

Combined, GSL boys and girls teams earned an amazing seven of eight team berths to state.

Awaiting the sorting out process

Although Greater Spokane League football determined its playoff teams a week ago, its four Big Nine opponents are not so cut and dried.

Big Nine champion Pasco will likely host Mead for a playoff game on Tuesday, unless Gonzaga Prep is upset tonight by University.

The Bullpups, with a win, will be the GSL’s number one seed and remain at home to play somebody.

Any of five other Big Nine teams, Kamiakin, Wenatchee, Richland, Davis and Kennewick can make the playoffs.

Depending upon the outcome of this week’s Kennewick-Kamiakin and Pasco-Davis games, there are four possible outcomes. Only Wenatchee, which could finish anywhere from second to fourth, is assured a playoff berth.

, DataTimes