Lee: Area teams won plenty of trophies this fall

Before we close the book on fall prep sports, it’s worth one final look at the various feats.

You want state championships? There were state titles aplenty this fall.

Space won’t allow us to highlight every feat, but here are some.

Cross country

We have to start with the modern dynasty – the North Central boys, winners now of eight straight State 3A championships with a ninth around the corner.

If the Indians capture a ninth consecutive title – and it should probably be prefaced by when the Indians capture a ninth straight title – they will tie the streak set by the great Mead teams coached by Pat Tyson.

NC junior Tanner Anderson became just the third runner in school history to bring home an individual championship. So there will be much on the line next fall when the Indians return to Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco – a perfect venue for the races.

• Coeur d’Alene’s girls captured a second straight 5A State championship under coach Cathy Compton – an NC graduate.

The Vikings were dominant once again. And they’ll return a talented core to take a stab at a third consecutive title. Heck, Compton has so much talent that she could field a second team that would challenge for a trophy (the top four teams earn trophies).

Sophomore Emily Callahan led the way, placing third while running with a stress fracture in her leg.

• Medical Lake’s boys broke through for a State 1A championship.

The Cardinals should return to the top of the awards stand next fall, too. They return their lineup intact.

The Lakeside girls also prevailed in 1A, tripping up defending champ Riverside. Juniors Jessica Ircink and Lindy Jacobson led the way.

• The Northwest Christian boys captured the 2B/1B title behind freshman Jack Ammon.

Girls soccer

Central Valley peaked at the right time, claiming a State 4A championship with a 3-2 win over Issaquah on penalty kicks.

Here’s how magical the season was for the Bears – they won four matches in shootouts.

And they won the final two matches with arguably their best player, Kelsey Turnbow, a national-caliber player, out of state playing soccer. It has to be the only sport where an out-of-season commitment takes precedent over a high school season.

The Bears overcame some defensive liabilities because of graduation.

It was an outstanding coaching job by Andres Monrroy.

Football

Coeur d’Alene – with its coach battling cancer and the coach’s son, the starting quarterback, on the sideline with a broken ankle – captured its third 5A State title in four years in impressive fashion.

The Vikings (9-3), behind sophomore quarterback Austin Lee, rallied to knock off No. 1-ranked and undefeated Highland 31-28 when Lee scored on a 15-yard run with under a minute remaining.

It was an amazing finish considering the journey. Shawn Amos put together the most difficult schedule in school history, choosing to challenge his team to its breaking point.

CdA opened 1-3 before closing with nine straight victories. One of those early losses was a 24-21 setback to Highland in Pocatello. The Viks watched a 21-7 lead evaporate.

The win in the title game wasn’t so much redemption or revenge as it was a reward for the most trying season ever.

The journey had its share of bumps early and late. But for the seniors it was well worth it.

• Lind-Ritzville/Sprague won its 26th straight game, defending its State 2B championship with a 7-0 victory over Morton-White Pass in a defensive showdown.

Freeman (14-0) claimed its first State 1A title, cruising past Mount Baker 31-13.

Volleyball

Lewiston brought home a second straight 5A State championship. Also, Colfax won the State 2B championship with a 36-1 record and Tekoa- Oakesdale won its third consecutive State 1B title.