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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

GSL runners headed to Scotland

Three of the top runners in the Greater Spokane League will represent Team USA on Saturday at the 25th Edinburgh Cross Country race in Scotland.

North Central senior Kai Wilmot and junior Tanner Anderson along with Mt. Spokane junior John Dressel were selected by the USATF to Team USA. They comprise half of the six-member team. Runners from California, Oregon and Oklahoma also were picked.

The runners learned of their selection in mid-December.

Team USA goes against Team Europe and Team Great Britain.

The trio left for Scotland on Tuesday. They’ll return on Sunday.

“It’s remarkable that half the team is from Spokane,” Mt. Spokane coach Alex Dressel, John’s father, said. “It’s quite an honor. When you think of the time and work those kids have put in it’s one more affirmation that what they’re doing right and that they’re doing the right things.”

It’s an all-expenses-paid trip.

“It’s a cool opportunity to get a taste of what life is like on the international level,” Dressel said.

It’s been quite a fall and early winter for the local trio. Anderson and Wilmot led NC to an eighth straight State 3A championship while Anderson captured the individual title. Wilmot won the Nike Cross Nationals race in Portland. And Dressel took second at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.

McLaughlin resigns

Saying it’s time, Mt. Spokane football coach Mike McLaughlin has resigned.

McLaughlin, 61, said he will teach at least another half year next fall before retiring from teaching.

“It’s been 31 years (coaching) and I’m 61,” McLaughlin said. “It’s time to start another chapter.”

McLaughlin, a Ferris graduate, started his head coaching career at Mead in 1982. His record there was 102-38-2. He moved to Mt. Spokane when it opened in 1997. He finishes with an 86-83 record as the Wildcats coach and 188-121-2 overall.

His final team went 8-3 and advanced to the State 3A playoffs.

“This was one of the most enjoyable years we’ve had,” McLaughlin said. “We won some games people didn’t think we would. I finish with a tremendous memory.”

Early returns

It’s apparent seven games into the Greater Spokane League boys basketball season that two teams hover above the league.

Two-time defending champ Central Valley (7-0) is the lone undefeated team after the Bears topped visiting Ferris 57-49 on Tuesday.

Tied for third are Gonzaga Prep and Mead at 5-2. Mead knocked off G-Prep in the first round of league play.

Then there’s a gap. Mt. Spokane, University and Shadle Park are tied at 3-4, followed by Lewis and Clark, North Central and Rogers at 1-6.

Rogers got its first win when it upset Shadle on Tuesday, and NC snapped a 36-game losing streak by tripping LC 49-47 in overtime, also Tuesday.

The best game Friday has Shadle trying to bounce back at G-Prep. Tipoff is at 5:30.

• For the girls, G-Prep (7-0) is setting a pace that will be difficult for the challengers to match.

LC (6-1), which fell to the Bullpups in a competitive league opener, is next followed by CV and Mead, which are tied at 5-2.

Shadle (4-3) is in the middle followed by Ferris (3-4), U-Hi (3-4), Mt. Spokane (2-5), NC (0-7) and Rogers (0-7).

The best game Friday has Mead visiting LC. Tipoff is at 7.