City Quick hits
Mt. Spokane’s first
A combination of experience, position switches and one high-scoring newcomer has Mt. Spokane’s girls soccer team in state for the first time.
“I’ve been blessed with a lot of very talented players,” said coach Ryan Campanella. “Everything’s falling into place right now.”
The scoring wealth has been spread around. Six different players have scored three or more goals, led by freshman Alli Floyd‘s 10 and Tiara Pittman‘s nine (four in two playoff wins).
Campanella said Floyd “was a pleasant surprise. We had a strong team back already and to have a player with the tenacity she has was wonderful.”
Senior veterans and team captains Chelsea Jones and Pittman provided leadership, Campanella said.
“I’m a firm believer that a coach can only say so much and eventually the girls have to take ownership of their team,” he said.
Averi Hallman‘s quickness was vital. She had six goals and 13 assists.
“She’s one of the fastest forwards in the league and her assists this year are blowing everyone out of the water,” said Campanella.
Moving Pittman to center midfield has solidified the attack and Jones leads the defense.
Mt. Spokane had allowed six goals all year heading into Wednesday’s regional championship against West Valley-Yakima, a game the Wildcats lost 2-1. They shut out Hanford and Southridge in the playoffs.
“Other playoffs: 4A – Saturday, 5 p.m., Richland vs. Mead at Albi Stadium (1-2 to state); Shadle Park vs. Pasco at Edgar Brown Stadium (winner No. 3 to state, loser out).
2A – Today, 3 p.m., Riverside at Cheney, Pullman at West Valley (winners to state).
1A – Saturday, 11 a.m., Lakeside vs. Cashmere at Wenatchee Bowl (1-2 to state).
Overland times change
Races will run an hour later than past years at the state cross country championships Saturday in Pasco.
Following the 10:30 a.m. wheelchair competition, races will run at half-hour intervals as follows: 1B/2B girls, 11; 1A girls, 11:30; 2A girls, noon; 3A girls, 12:30 p.m.; 4A girls, 1; 1B/2B boys, 1:30; 1A boys, 2; 2A boys, 2:30; 3A boys, 3; 4A boys, 3:30.
Six Greater Spokane League teams are in the 3A or 4A fields, including Mt. Spokane’s girls who are making their third straight appearance and fourth in five years.
“Saturday is up in the air,” said Sean Linder, adding any of six teams could win the 3A title, including his Wildcats. “Each team has a little different strength. It comes down to who really wants it and I think my girls do.”
Favored 3A boys team North Central is as healthy as it has been this year, said coach Jon Knight, but has its work cut out against Seattle Prep.
Mead will be in the 4A boys title hunt and any number of teams and individuals, including Shadle’s Andrea Nelson and Northwest Christian’s Lisa Vandenburg, will chase trophies and medals.
Tyson to Hall of Fame
Former Mead cross country coach Pat Tyson is one of four in the latest class to be inducted this weekend into the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame.
Induction ceremonies will be at 6 p.m. Friday at the Red Lion in Pasco during the annual coaches’ association meeting.
Tyson set the standard for cross country with 22 high school state-qualifying teams, 19 at Mead. He won 14 state championships, 12 with the Panthers. Included was the 1993 team that finished 1-2-3 and scored a record-low 20 points.
Wildcats host volleyball
Carrying on the Mt. Spokane theme, the Wildcats host Saturday’s six-team 3A regional championship with a chance to make it a state-qualifying girls sports triumvirate.
The Wildcats need one win in two matches to qualify for state. At Mead, East Valley plays Southridge in a noon loser-out match needing two wins for a state berth.
“The Class 4A regional tournament is in Yakima beginning Friday with University vs. Eisenhower, 7 p.m. and Walla Walla vs. Mead, 8:30 p.m. at Davis. It’s Pasco vs. Lewis and Clark, 8:30, and Shadle Park vs. Richland, 7 p.m. at Eisenhower. The double-elimination tournament, which qualifies three to state, continues Saturday.
“Four Northeast A League and four Caribou Trail League teams will compete for four state berths during Saturday’s 1A regional at Cascade High in Leavenworth. Chewelah completed the field that includes Colfax, Lakeside and Freeman by defeating Omak in a pigtail game.