North Central wins GSL cross-country crown

The long-awaited showdown between two of the top runners in the nation was put on hold again Wednesday.

North Central, the eight-time defending State 3A boys champion, lined up without defending individual state champ Tanner Anderson with the Greater Spokane League championship up for grabs.

No worries. The Indians’ rich depth carried the day as North Central secured a fifth straight league title and extended its dual-victories streak to 40 under wet skies at picturesque Siemers Farm.

NC (9-0) topped Mt. Spokane 25-33, University 24-35 and Shadle Park 16-47. Mt. Spokane (8-1) edged U-Hi 27-28 and Shadle 17-44. And U-Hi (7-2) topped Shadle 17-42.

Mt. Spokane senior John Dressel cruised to victory in a time of 15 minutes, 12 seconds. He topped his previous best on the course by 24 seconds.

The showdown among three undefeated teams never materialized. The Indians placed five in the top 12, and seven in the top 15.

“We thought we could get it done without (Anderson),” NC coach Jon Knight said. “It’s a team sport. That’s why you have seven guys.”

Justin Janke led NC, finishing second and 32 seconds behind Dressel. Teammate Andrew Vandine was third (15:49).

Dressel expected to run against Anderson. He said Anderson posted a picture of his running shoes on Snapchat and said he was ready to go.

Knight said he took his team out to train and check out the course at Siemers Farm on Monday. Anderson tweaked a hip trying in what Knight called an unstable section of the course.

“He tried to run this morning and it felt uncomfortable,” Knight said.

Knight fully expects Anderson back for regionals a week from Saturday in Richland.

Dressel was pleased with his race considering two days ago he couldn’t talk. He said he battled strep-like symptoms and couldn’t run over the weekend.

“Today was the first day I could talk normally,” he said.

Knight was pleased with Janke and Vandine but thought his third through seventh runners also stepped up.

“Both of these teams are tough,” Knight said, alluding to Mt. Spokane. “Luckily we’re a little deeper. (Not having Anderson) definitely made it a lot closer. In some ways there can be some serendipity there. The younger guys didn’t get to rely on their No. 1 (teammate) so they had to come through. It was a good gut check for them going into regionals.”

In the girls, Lauren Dunnell of Shadle won in 18:45, beating Micaela Kostecka of Mt. Spokane by 32 seconds.

Mt. Spokane defeated NC (22-36), Shadle (24-37) and U-Hi (22-39) while NC defeated Shadle (25-33) and U-Hi (24-33). Shadle defeated U-Hi (25-31).

• At Mead, the Panthers boys defeated Ferris, Lewis and Clark and Rogers while the LC girls defeated Mead and Ferris.

Corbin Carlton of Mead won the boys race in a time of 15:50.2, holding off Liam Cossette of Ferris (16:03.53).

Katie Thronson of LC won in a time of 18:40.86, ahead of Anisa Allaet of Ferris (19:12.49).

• At Finch Arboretum, the Central Valley boys and girls topped Gonzaga Prep.

The CV boys won 20-36 and the CV girls, the GSL champs, were victorious 23-36.

Britton Demars led the CV boys, winning in 16:48.

Natalie Schwartzenberger of G-Prep was the winning girls in 19:56.