CdA’s Gomez has entire state on the run

Sports teams – particularly collegiate basketball teams – have this propensity to talk about defending their home court.

You’ve heard the statement before: not in our house. I’m not sure where it was birthed, but it’s even seeped down to the prep ranks.

I mention it because Coeur d’Alene sophomore cross country sensation Kinsey Gomez did a splendid job defending her turf last Saturday. OK, Silverwood, the site of the meet, isn’t exactly a home course. The statement she made in touring the 3.1-mile track in 18 minutes, 19.9 seconds was something like this: not in my neck of the woods.

Gomez turned the 5A state field upside down last fall, catching heavily favored Nicole Nielsen of Borah with half a mile to go and sprinting to victory by a 7.15-second margin.

Nielsen didn’t know Gomez was going to be at the starting line Saturday until that morning. CdA skipped the meet last year to go to the All-Valley meet.

Gomez didn’t have to talk coach Cathy Compton into going to Silverwood. Compton knew it was the right thing to do.Lake City senior Molly Mitchell ran a splendid race as she stayed with Gomez through well more than 2 miles. But that’s when Gomez pulled away. Mitchell finished in a career-best 18:31.6 to take third, one place better than Nielsen (18:46.1).

Taking third and beating Nielsen did wonders for Mitchell’s confidence.

Mitchell was impressed with Gomez.

“She definitely made a statement to the rest of the state,” Mitchell said.

LC assistant coach Kent Eggleston jokingly accused Gomez and Mitchell of double-teaming Nielsen. Gomez and Mitchell attended a summer camp together.

They both smiled and denied the conspiracy.

“She runs such a controlled race,” Compton said of Gomez. “She is so solid. She doesn’t do anything crazy or outrageous. She just finishes very strong. This will just propel her forward.”

So did Gomez think she made a statement?

“I don’t know. I’m taking it one race at a time until I get to state,” she said.

Nielsen will be ready for another showdown at state in Boise when the race will be run in her neck of the woods.

My money is on Gomez.

Panhandle picks

I think I’m in need of some new shoes. Anytime I can smell my feet with my shoes on, it’s a good indicator that I need to zip over to Big 5 and browse the discount rack.

I’m also in need of some serious assistance here. I stink after two weeks. I’m barely hovering above the .500 mark (13-10). I’m tempted to throw the names of the teams in a hat and pick the winners that way. We’ll give it one more week the old-fashioned way.

Sandpoint at Coeur d’Alene: There’s no doubt that the Bulldogs have improved since a season-opening loss at Lake City. But so have the Vikings, who put together an impressive win at Moses Lake. It should carry over in this one. CdA 34, Sandpoint 13.

Eagle at Post Falls: The Mustangs of Meridian were picked to challenge Mountain View for a division title. The Trojans, handcuffed by six turnovers, lost their season opener at Mountain View 28-6. Mountain View and Eagle are expected to finish 1-2 in their division. The math says Post Falls should lose. But I was never good at math. PF 24, Eagle 21.

Lakeland at Timberlake: Both cross-district teams stumble in at 0-2. This should be a good game. LL 28, TL 21.

•Other games: Lewiston 28, Pullman 20; Moscow 21, Clarkston 13; Kamiah 21, Kellogg 14; Bonners Ferry 20, Newport 13; Priest River 20, Freeman 13; Wallace 34, Mullan 6; Kootenai 40, Clark Fork 12; Lakeside 24, LaCrosse-Washtucna 18.

Coming up

In today’s Prairie Voice, catch a feature on Post Falls senior two-way lineman Austin Tate.

In the Handle Extra on Saturday, I feature Sandpoint standout soccer player Bailey Hewitt, who is on loan from Clark Fork.