Central Valley girls run at regionals next Saturday

“Awesome!”

Central Valley girls cross country coach Dennis McGuire used the term at least three times in conversation after the Bears ended the current longest-running win streak among Greater Spokane League high school athletic teams.

The Bears edged Mt. Spokane 27-28 to create a three-way tie for the league title with the Wildcats and University as the cross country season came to an end. Mt. Spokane had won 53 straight league dual meets.

CV and U-Hi next chase state berths during the GSL-Columbia Basin League regional meet next Saturday in Yakima. Three teams will qualify for the State 4A.

The trio of Eden Lake, Brianna Barsten and Tris Kline finished third-through-fifth, Arianna Rios and Melinda Miller were seventh and eighth, the five separated by 53 seconds to pull off the one-point thriller.

It was CV’s third girls title in GSL history and McGuire’s first as coach in 23 years at the school.

“What a team effort,” said McGuire. “The girls just help each other out, and that’s what makes us all better. It was just an amazing day. It was awesome.”

U-Hi meanwhile defeated Mead 23-34 to earn its share of the title even without top three runner Elise Thatcher, who was resting a sore hip. Stevie Gildehaus, Karen Owens and Rachel Fridye finished second-through-fourth, Alicia Johnston and Maddie Fuchs took sixth and eighth.

“The big thing is,” said coach Chrissie Francek, “we’re running healthy. They worked hard and I’m excited for the girls.”

The Bears, Titans and Richland will be among favorites during regional.

So, too, with CV’s boys, who finished third in the GSL with an 8-2 record. The Bears capped their year with a sweep of Mt. Spokane and Gonzaga Prep and will join Ferris and Mead as regional favorites for the three state berths.

Sean Coyle timed 16:11 on the tough course at Siemers Farm in Green Bluff and Tyler Thatcher was second in 16:26. The Bears had four other finishers in the top nine.

U-Hi lost to Mead 15-45 to finish a break-even season.

Titans softball champions

University’s slowpitch softball team, with a 20-1 win over Rogers, captured the championship of the expanded Greater Spokane League.

It was its first season in the five-year-old league. The Titans went 16-0 with strong defense and a powerful offensive attack.

“Pretty much our top four hit the ball really hard,” said coach Jon Schuh.

The quartet hit safely in every game, usually with multiple hits. Leadoff batter was Riki Schiermeister, who hit seven home runs, followed by Alyssa Hawley, Ashley Fargher, nine homers, and Ali Warren.

Warren hit a grand slam homer in the first inning of the title game. Hawley and Michelle Wells, who played in just five games because of an injury, each homered in the second to account for five more runs.

“We talked about getting on plane (keeping the bat level) and staying on it as long as you can,” said Schuh of his hitting philosophy. Whatever the front elbow does, so does the bat.”

Warren said she believes playing slowpitch helped her fastpitch hitting.

“It was hard to adjust hitting at first,” she said. “But it helped me with my fast-pitch swing. It teaches you patience and to wait for your pitch.”

Patience paid off in a championship.

Volleyball, soccer playoffs

Volleyball and soccer District 8 4A playoffs begin next week for GSL teams. Central Valley finished with a 5-5 volleyball record and will be at Ferris on Tuesday for the first round. The Bears lost to the Saxons in four games in their season finale.

Both University and CV are in the soccer district tournament. They play loser-out games on Monday at Joe Albi Stadium.

East Valley’s soccer team will be involved in regional competition with the Columbia Basin League for two state berths.

The Knights completed regular season Friday against Shadle Park with a chance to be the league’s top 3A seed.

Season isn’t quite over for West Valley, but the Eagles volleyball and soccer teams remain second in the GNL.

Football shaking out

East Valley played University, and Central Valley played Ferris in shake-out GSL football games Friday night.The Bears (3-4 overall, 3-3 in league) had to win over the league’s second-place team to maintain any postseason hopes.

The Titans (4-3, 4-2) weren’t in such dire straits against the Knights (5-2), but a loss wouldn’t necessarily help.

CV and U-Hi complete the GSL season against each other next Friday.

EV blanked Lewis and Clark 28-0 last week and completed its league season against the Titans. A win would have secured a share, at least, of third place.

The league’s 3A playoff qualifier faces Camas in Pasco in a nonleague game next week before trying to secure its third straight state berth.

Ryan Campbell moved into the league rushing lead with 754 yards, 23 more than U-Hi’s Tyler Carlson. Shon Davis of CV is third with 619 yards.

Campbell also leads the league in scoring with 78 points. He is now fifth overall for his rushing career with 2,863 yards and third in scoring with 272 points.

Knights quarterback Russell Woodworth is third in passing with 772 yards on 65-for-106 passing. CV’s Luke Clift and U-Hi’s Danny Jordan are fourth and fifth.

EV receiver Sam Hale is second with 25 catches for 400 yards. Titan Ken Wood is third with 23 catches for 361 yards.

West Valley (3-4, 1-3) gave up 31 unanswered points in a 31-14 loss in Cheney last week. Andy Vennum had a 41-yard interception return that staked the Eagles to a 14-0 first-quarter lead.