Polls Received Better In Cross Country Circles
Ask football coaches about state rankings and the response is generally lukewarm.
“Those things don’t really mean anything,” is a typical comeback.
Or: “The game is played on the field, not on paper.”
For some reason(s), however, cross country coaches don’t have the inherent fear of polls that football coaches do.
One determining factor may be the method of polling. The Associated Press football poll ranks teams on the basis on what sportswriters believe. Talk about an unreliable source. The state’s cross country poll is the product of coaches’ fertile minds.(As an aside, a local Class B girls coach wonders why these esteemed voters haven’t noticed his team’s wins over St. George’s and Springdale, both of which continue to receive votes.)
Another positive point for the cross country poll is its “newness.” The poll hasn’t been around long enough to make bitter enemies.
“I think it has created interest in the sport,” said Ferris coach Wayne Gilman, whose girls are rated No. 5 and are sure to move up after dispatching No. 3 University on Wednesday.
Then there’s the “Prove It Factor.” South Kitsap and Central Valley will never meet during a regular football season, but Snohomish and Mead can clash before state at a big cross country invitational.
“The rankings are fun for the kids,” said Ferris boys coach Mike Hadway before his second-ranked Saxons met top-ranked Mead at Saturday’s SunFair in Yakima. “But I do like to be careful with it.”
Apocalypse Now
Stealing from Sports Illustrated, a sure sign that the end of the world is upon us occurred on Thursday.
On that date, five-time State AAA champion (and 11-time GSL champion) Shadle Park slipped into last place in the volleyball standings.
Shadle has never finished lower than fourth place.
Renew acquaintances
There is a long tradition of Etter athletes at North Central, but the string broke when Dealy Etter left NC for Lewis and Clark after his junior year of basketball last March.
NC and Etter had their reunion on Thursday, and Etter made it memorable with a 68-yard touchdown run. He had 100 rushing yards in the first half. His high game this season before Thursday was 28 yards; his career-best game at NC was 99 yards.
An emotional Etter seemed glad the game was over.
“When I left, a lot of my friends stood behind me,” Etter said. “They knew the decision I made was good. I transferred because it was better for my future.”
Last hurrah
Chris Barton wanted a memorable senior year so he decided to play football for Gonzaga Prep.
“I never knew I’d be a starting running back,” Barton said.
Barton, one of the top sprinters in Spokane (10.9 seconds in the 100 meters, 23.0 in the 200), quit football during his sophomore season with the Bullpup junior varsity. When practice started this year, he was just one of many halfback candidates. He was moved to fullback just before the season opener.
“They thought they could use my speed up the middle,” he said.
Friday against Ferris Barton had 98 yards on 13 carries.
The Colfax facts
Colfax (5-0) took control of Northeast A volleyball Thursday with a four-game win over Deer Park (5-1 before Saturday’s match).
Angie Hall had 17 kills, Michelle Mellor 20 assists and Chanda Miller served 27 of 28 points for Colfax.
Thorn in Thorn’s side
Dani Thorn of G-Prep, the GSL’s fourth-leading scorer last year, won’t return this soccer season because of a knee injury. Thorn’s status for basketball season is uncertain.
Bedeviling
Third-ranked Walla Walla defeated fourth-ranked Eisenhower 32-20 Friday in Walla Walla. The Blue Devils had a potent 1-2 punch at running back: Kyle Holman rushed for 139 yards and three touchdowns and Marlo Rabauliman averaged 12.4 yards on 11 carries.
Across state lines
Defending girls State AAA soccer champion Bellarmine went to Portland and defeated Jesuit High 1-0. Katey Ward assisted Mary Boenner on the goal that knocked off the No. 4 team in Umbro’s national poll.
, DataTimes