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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

NC, Mead boys claim cross country titles


The Mead Boys win the State 4A Cross Country Championship Saturday  in Pasco. The win gives the Greater Spokane League its 20th straight state 4A title. 
 (CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON Photos / The Spokesman-Review)

What a weekend it was for North Side high school athletes competing in the state cross country championships at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

North Central boys, fulfilling early season expectations, proved best in show. The Indians’ effort in obliterating the Class 3A field 36-110 over Seattle Prep, might have been just as dominating in any class.

Mead boys upheld Greater Spokane League (and school) tradition by racing to the league’s 20th straight 4A title.

And Shadle Park’s Andrea Nelson was runaway winner of the girls 4A race.

Lakeside’s boys finished second in the 1A race and St. George’s boys and girls were state champion and runner up respectively in the B meets.

“It’s really sweet to win,” said NC coach Jon Knight. “I’m so proud of the team and it’s so good for our school.”

Four NC runners placed in the top 10. Andrew Kimpel was second in 16:05, Steve Hicks finished sixth in 16:21, Leon Dean eighth in 16:22 and Jeff Howard 10th in 16:23. All but Hicks are juniors. Sophomore Alex Avila, despite fighting a respiratory infection, took 22nd in 16:53. Freshman Andrew Wordell and senior Andrew Tyler, also sub-par because of illness, round out the team.

Mt. Spokane was fifth overall, Allan Schroeder medaling in 12th and Trevin Goodrick, one of just two seniors, finishing 15th.

Mead completed the day with its close victory in the 4A race, 108-112 over Gig Harbor.

“It’s the fulfillment of a dream, it really is,” said second-year coach Steve Kiesel. “I’m so speechless.”

Kelly Lynch finished eighth, Marcus Budig, Jordan Curnutt, Eric Foss, Jordan Baker, Thomas Wolfe and Steven Kutsch round out the team. Four return.

During girls competition, Nelson won her first 4A state title and Northwest Christian’s Lisa Vandenburg finished second in the B race. Both are sophomores who now have finished first and second so far during their careers.

Kyle Johnson and Tim Welch finished in fourth and fifth place for Lakeside. In the girls race, Kayloni Jones took eighth for the fifth-place girls.

St. George’s boys and girls placed their scorers in the B races’ top 19 spots. Brian Angove and Katie Reidy finished fourth in each, Sam Annan and Maja Rodell were eighth respectively.

Mike Wilhelm finished 10th for the boys and Britton Stamper, Davey Coombs, Howard Lee and Nick Copeland complete the team. Mackee Moland medaled in 12th place for the girls.

Riverside girls were just fourth in the Great Northern League, but finished fourth in 2A state thanks to a late-season surge, led by eighth-place Amanda Wilson. Deer Park’s Chantel Duenich finished 11th.

Panthers get rematch

Mead’s football team earned a rematch with Ferris and a return to the State 4A football playoffs by ousting Columbia Basin League champion Wenatchee last weekend.

The two Greater Spokane League teams square off Friday, 7 p.m. at Albi Stadium.

“I think it’s a shame we have to knock each other off,” said coach Sean Carty. “I think both teams would do well and it would be nice if we didn’t play them until later.”

Game management was key in the Panthers’ 21-7 win at Wenatchee, he said.

“We felt like our offense was very prepared,” said Carty. “The defense played well against a strong running team. Then there’s luck.”

Luck as in a pass tipped twice by the defense that landed in a Mead receiver’s hands.

“I’m happy they have been successful and to be still playing,” said Carty. “There’s still one goal out there as lofty as it is – to be in Tacoma.”

State volleyball next

For one district rival it’s old hat, for another a berth in state volleyball is a new experience.

Mead will be going for its fifth straight State 4A title while 3A Mt. Spokane is making its first state volleyball appearance this weekend at the Toyota Center in Kennewick.

The Panthers begin play at 2 p.m. against Inglemoor, the Wildcats play Camas at 9 a.m.

Mead led a Greater Spokane League sweep of the regional tournament last weekend in Yakima, beating Lewis and Clark for the title. The Panthers defeated Walla Walla, University and LC in straight games.

Shadle Park, which upset Columbia Basin League champion Richland in its opener before losing to LC, beat Walla Walla, then University for the third and final 4A state berth.

Mt. Spokane, top GSL seed into the regionals, lost to Hanford in its opener but came back to eliminate East Valley in four close games for its state trip.

“Oh, my goodness. Can you believe it?” said coach John Reid. “High school is a very short opportunity and I want the girls to have the best experience possible. Each year we’ve gotten better and better.”