NC boys win regional

North Central boys cross country coach Jon Knight had to go to his bench Saturday afternoon.

With No. 1-ranked runner Kai Wilmot nursing a tendon injury, Knight called up senior Sam Holland. He took ninth – one of six Indians in the top 10 in the 3A regional meet at Carmichael Middle School in Richland.

Top-ranked NC finished with 27 points to easily outdistance runner-up Kamiakin (55). The top two teams and top 10 individuals advance to state on Saturday at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

NC, which has won six straight state titles, extended its string of regional victories to nine.

Sophomore Tanner Anderson led NC, taking first in a time of 15 minutes, 13.1 seconds. Sophomore John Dressel (15:20.0) of Mt. Spokane was second and senior Keith Williams (15:23.8) of NC was third.

“It was a great race for Tanner,” Knight said. “He had never beaten John Dressel before.”

Knight expects Wilmot back for state.

“He came down with it a week ago, so we were just being cautious,” Knight said. “He should be OK. He’s been working hard in the pool.”

In the girls race, Knight’s daughter, Katie, won easily, finishing in 17:48.3. Megan Beauchene (18:21.9) of Kamiakin was second, leading the Braves to the team title. They had 54 points and Mt. Spokane finished runner-up with 70.

“Katie had a pretty hard week of training,” Jon said. “So her time was a little slow for her. She knew she was going to get in individually, so it gave her the luxury of training through the week.”

Knight gave the University of Washington an oral commitment last week.

4A: The Central Valley boys edged Lewis and Clark for the regional title at Richland.

CV finished with 52 points and LC was seven behind. The top two teams and top 10 individuals advance to state.

Mead senior Andrew Gardner won in a time of 14:52. LC senior Sumner Goodwin (15:06.2) was second and CV senior Logan Giese (15:32.3) took fourth.

Gonzaga Prep’s girls took second with 74 points, one ahead of LC. Richland won with 47.

Richland sophomore Lindsey Bradley won in a time of 18:07.4. LC junior Gracie Ledwith (18:51.05) was second. Sophomore Cyra Carlson (19:24.8) led G-Prep by finishing seventh.

2A: Deer Park’s Daniel Amann took first place and the Stags cruised to the regional title at Cowiche, Wash.

Amann finished the 3-mile course in 15:31.5. East Valley’s Scott Kopczynski (15:34.4) was second and Colville’s Kevin Carpenter (15:34.6) was third.

Cheney placed second.

2B/1B: The St. John-Endicott girls claimed the title at the District 7/9 meet in Clarkston.

Northwest Christian’s Anna Henry won the girls race in 18:17.17 over 3 miles. St. John-Endicott had three girls finish inside the top 10, led by Heather Siegel, who took third in 19:33.45.

Tri-Cities Prep edged Northwest Christian for the boys title behind Skyler Larson’s winning time of 15:41.30.

NWC’s Steven Olds (16:19.43) was fourth and Alex Wallat (16:23.54) was fifth.