Central Valley boys take second at State 4A cross country meet

PASCO – Kieran Mahoney didn’t know what his team could do after the Bears fell flat on their faces in an early season Greater Spokane League dual.

The Bears showed him Saturday. Central Valley took second in the State 4A cross country meet at Sun Willows Golf Course.

CV finished with 105 points, holding off Eisenhower by a point for second. Bellarmine Prep (70) captured the title. Ferris (129) took fourth.

In the girls, Issaquah dethroned Camas, finishing with 90 points to keep Camas (108) from taking a third straight title. CV finished fourth (123).

Ryan Kline led the pack-minded Bears, taking 14th in a time of 15 minutes, 50.5 seconds. Teammate Gabe Romney (15:57.1) was 17th.

“No way,” Mahoney said when he was told CV took second. “For four sophomores and two juniors and one senior. I’m proud of them. They have come a long way since a tough meet against North Central (early September).”

Mahoney said his team was too tight that day.

“When they got done they had a meeting on their own and said that’s not acceptable,” Mahoney said. “They knew it wasn’t what they trained for. Coach (former coach Pat) Tyson came out and talked to them. He told them about the 1993 team. We’re trying to mold ourselves like the ’93 Mead team. Just a bunch of guys going out and hammering it. For them to get second … man.”

Ferris’ Amir Ado took fourth (15:30.3). He was in first after the first mile but faded slowly thereafter.

In the girls, Lewis and Clark junior Katie Thronson took second (17:53.7) behind winner Taylor Roe of Lake Stevens (17:34.1).

CV’s Kearan Nelson, who had a splendid season, finished third (18:02.8).

LC, second a year ago, faded to fifth with most of its team back.

Thronson was concerned afterward as her teammates trickled in. She’ll seek to win the state title next year.

“I’m more nervous now than before the race because we did put a lot of pressure on ourselves for this race to do well,” Thronson said.

Thronson was fifth last year.

“I was really happy because that was a (personal best) for me by a lot,” Thronson said. “There’s room for improvement. I definitely went out a little fast.”

Thronson said she turned the first mile in 5:18.

“I got a little freaked out by that,” she said. “Next year I’m going to have to be a little more calm with how I go out and try not to freak myself out as much.”

Hannah Barone of Mead (18:52.0) was 13th.