It Runs In The Family Brother, Sister Could Be Part Of State Meet Ferris Festival

Isaac Hawkins learned what he needed to know about his cross country future by watching Emily Hawkins run in junior high school.

Big brothers tend to take note when little sisters exceed their accomplishments.

So the genesis of a running theory developed in little Isaac’s mind after Emily qualified for all-city - a meet that had been beyond his grasp.

Put succinctly, Isaac realized that scrawny guys can’t beat sinewy sorts on a level playing field.

Pencil-necked types had to be willing to work harder and longer than anybody else.

When Isaac entered Ferris High, he was of a singular mind about distance running. He would log whatever distances were necessary to distance himself from other runners.

“I’ve trained harder than the vast majority of juniors and seniors,” said the Saxons junior. “I train harder than anyone I know.

“It’s a risk worth taking. It’s not my life, but it’s what I love.”

The miles paid off last Saturday, as slight Isaac Hawkins blitzed the 160-person field during the Region IV-AAA cross country meet at Hangman Valley Golf Course. Hawkins, sixth at district last year, completed the 3 miles in 15 minutes, 14 seconds.

The foggy, cool afternoon became a genuine Ferris Festival. Isaac’s team placed three runners in the top four and ended Mead’s string of seven consecutive team titles.

Emily, a sophomore who finished ninth overall, was the No. 4 runner for the powerful Saxons girls. The Ferris girls’ 26-point gap on runner-up University was more convincing than the boys’ 73-88 win over Mead.

Ferris has a legitimate shot at sweeping Saturday’s WIAA/U.S. Bank State AAA meets at Pasco. Such an outcome would bring up a curious trivia question: Have any local siblings competed for separate state champion teams during the same season?

“We’ve discussed (the possibility),” Emily said. “But whatever happens, happens. It’s still wide open.”

“I think we both realize it’s a long way off,” Isaac said.

Last season was as disappointing for the Hawkinses as this season has been exhilarating.

Emily began her freshman year on an even keel with teammate Jennifer Smith, this year’s regional champ. The two traded off the No. 1 position until midseason, when Emily injured her left knee and foot. She later settled for 23rd at district, well out of the chase for state.

Isaac had a better - yet more agonizing - day at district. In position to qualify for state, he didn’t respond when senior teammate Cameron Copher passed him near the end for the fifth and final individual spot. Hawkins thought his finish didn’t matter because it appeared, from his angle, that Ferris had beaten Mead for the lone team berth. Instead, Mead won by three points.

Isaac learned from the episode. After Ferris lost to Mead in this year’s Greater Spokane League dual, he took nothing for granted.

“I honestly thought we were going to lose at regionals; I’ll be truthful,” Isaac said.

Because of their perfect GSL record, Ferris’ girls had fewer trepidations about the regional. When Ferris coach Wayne Gilman charted the race, he penciled in four of his runners for the top 10. Emily’s finish - behind Smith, fourth-place Jill Johnson and seventh-place Kristin Parrish - meant even Gilman hadn’t been optimistic enough.

“We all push each other and can get better from that,” Emily said. “It’s nice to have the team success because it gets the school name out (in the public).”

The Hawkins name is also out. Father Paul and mother Ann were never noted for running, per se, but their athletic bloodlines are obvious. Paul played football and wrestled at University High, then played rugby at Brigham Young University. Ann, said Emily, didn’t have the athletic opportunities young women have today, but would have been a running type because of her long legs.

Most of the family plan to attend Saturday’s state races. The competing Hawkinses expect jitters, but nothing they can’t handle.

“I’m just going to go out and attack it from the beginning,” Isaac said. “It’s no secret to anybody else. That’s the way it’s been all year.”

Actually, that’s the way it’s been since a junior high schooler named Isaac watched his kid sister run an all-city race. Isaac Hawkins learned what he needed to know about his cross country future by watching Emily Hawkins run in junior high school.

Big brothers tend to take note when little sisters exceed their accomplishments.

So the genesis of a running theory developed in little Isaac’s mind after Emily qualified for all-city - a meet that had been beyond his grasp.

Put succinctly, Isaac realized that scrawny guys can’t beat sinewy sorts on a level playing feel.

Pencil-necked types had to be willing to work harder and longer than anybody else.

When Isaac entered Ferris High, he was of a singular mind about distance running. He would log whatever distances were necessary to distance himself from other runners.

“I’ve trained harder than the vast majority of juniors and seniors,” said the Saxons junior. “I train harder than anyone I know.

“It’s a risk worth taking. It’s not my life, but it’s what I love.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: Two sidebars appeared with the story: 1. Double trouble Schools that have won boys and girls state cross country titles in the same year: 1980: AAA Ferris 1980: A Montesano 1983: AA Edmonds 1987: AA Edmonds 1988: AAA Mead 1991: B Pomeroy 1992: B Seattle Luth. 1993: B St. George’s

2. State championships Information on Saturday’s WIAA/ U.S. Bank state cross country championships at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco: A/B girls, 10 a.m. Defending team champions - A: Lakewood. B: St. George’s. Team favorite: Mount Baker. Highest returning placer - A: Erica Garrison, Ocosta, sr., champion. B: Melissa Harvill, St. George’s, sr., second. Best local district times: Hayden Kristianson, Chewelah, jr., 20:01; Katie Kneeshaw, Colfax, sr., 20:13; Jaime Stone, Deer Park, jr., 20:25. AA girls, 10:40 Defending team champion - East Valley (Spokane). Team favorite: EV. Highest returning placer - Jessica Riehle, West Valley (Spokane), jr, third. Best local district times: Angie Simmers, EV, jr., 18:54; Riehle, 19:02; Jennifer Rea, Clarkston, sr., 19:08. AAA girls, 11:15 Defending team champion - Eisenhower. Team favorite: Snohomish, Ferris. Highest returning placer - Aleah Thome, Ike, sr., champ. Best local regional times: Jennifer Smith, Ferris, jr., 18:42; Jill Johnson, Ferris, fr., 18:55; Jenni Saling, Central Valley, sr., 18:58. A/B boys, 11:50 Defending team champions - A: Omak. B: Northwest Christian. Team favorite: Chelan. Highest returning placer - A: Hector Rodriguez, Chelan, soph., champ. B: Christian Laugen, St. George’s, sr., champ. Best local district times: Laugen, 16:02; David Yarnell, Chewelah, jr., 16:27; Asher Ernst, Chewelah, jr., 16:29. AA boys, 12:25 p.m. Defending team champion - Lynnwood. Team favorite: Gig Harbor, WV. Highest returning placer - Dave Martin, Lynnwood, sr., fourth. Best local district times: Chris Henderson, EV, sr., 15:57; Clayton Holmes, WV, jr., 16:07; Jon Ashcraft, Riverside, jr., 16:18. AAA boys, 1 Defending team champion - Mead. Team favorite: Ferris, Mead. Highest returning placer - Matt Kerr, Kennewick, sr., seventh. Best local regional times: Isaac Hawkins, Ferris, jr., 15:14; Dave Schruth, Ferris, sr., 15:34; Paul Harkins, Ferris, sr., 15:37.