Prep cross country: North Central’s boys battle for position after Justin Janke

All but one runner for the North Central boys cross country team is jockeying for a spot in the top seven.

The secured spot belongs to one of the top runners in the state regardless of classification, senior Justin Janke.

So what Greater Spokane League duals and other meets afford Indians coach Jon Knight is the opportunity to watch how things shake out with the balance of his lineup.

In the process, he wants the tight pack to become tighter and to tighten the gap between Janke, who to this point has beaten his next-closest teammate by 15, 31 and 58 seconds in three meets.

Janke did what he does best Wednesday afternoon, finishing first in a time of 15 minutes, 57 seconds in a Greater Spokane League dual at Audubon Park.

NC (4-0) easily defeated Ferris (19-38) and Central Valley (16-43). Ferris (2-1) knocked off CV (1-2) 18-37.

For the second time in three meets, junior Jacob Christner was the second NC finisher, 31 seconds behind Janke.

Christner has made big strides, establishing himself as the Indians’ No. 2 runner. He was just 15 seconds behind Janke last week after finishing nearly a minute behind at the season-opening Tracy Walters Invite.

Finishing third for NC was senior Sam Sjoberg (16:38). Senior Gabriel Meek (16:38) was fourth and junior Ben Miller (16:56) was fifth.

“I could see Justin in my sights most of the race,” Christner said. “I was focusing more on running with my teammates who were around me than focusing trying to catch up with Justin.”

Just 30 seconds separated Christner and Miller.

“In workouts I’m not that far ahead of the (others),” Christner said. “I have no doubt they’ll be running up with me the rest of the season. Instead of pushing for single places, we want to tighten up the pack.”

Christner’s goal was to earn the No. 2 ranking on the team.

“I don’t know if I can beat Justin,” Christner said. “He’s got a lot more fitness than I do. Right now he’s in a league by himself.”

Janke remembers when Christner showed promise as a freshman on junior varsity.

“I’m not surprised entirely,” Janke said of Christner’s emergence this fall. “It was my first year on varsity, so I watched him on JV. I remember thinking that he could be really good. Two years later and he’s working as hard as anyone else.”

Christner said that Miller, who barely made JV a year ago, has made one of the biggest improvements on the team.

“Jacob’s got a great kick and he’s clearly our No. 2 right now,” Knight said. “The next thing we need to do is try to have him stay a little closer to the other team’s No. 1s and 2s. He’s ready to break out of (our) pack and start closing the gap.”

NC competes at the Bob Firman Invitational near Boise on Saturday.

Briegen Bester (19:21) of CV won the girls meet, leading the Bears (2-2) to a sweep.

Around the GSL

In other meets, the Mt. Spokane girls (3-0) downed University 24-37 at Siemers Farm. Claire Dingus (19:10) of U-Hi took first. In the boys, U-Hi (2-0) topped Mt. Spokane 21-40. Hayden Dressel (16:03) of Mt. Spokane was first. … The Mead boys and girls defeated Rogers at Franklin Park. Cameron Dean (16:10) and Sydney Brieher (20:49) led Mead. … The Lewis and Clark boys and girls, both 4-0, swept at Manito Park. Zak Kindl (17:01) and Abby Smith (20:16), both of LC, won their respective races.

Around the GNL

In Great Northern League duals, the West Valley boys edged East Valley 25-30 at Plantes Ferry. Winner Jacob Nicholson (17:49) led WV, finishing well ahead of runner-up Josiah Poler (18:19) of EV. In the girls, EV decisioned WV 19-43. Brittany Aquino (20:45) led a 1-2-3 finish for the Knights. … Host Cheney swept Clarkston at Salnave Park. Drake Johnson (17:58) led a 1-2-3 sweep for the boys. Cheney’s Hannah Spakousky won the girls race in 21:54.5, followed by Clarkston’s Olivia Lane (22:13.9).