Gsl Cross Country Teams Off And Running Returnees Give U-Hi And CV A Step Ahead
Girls cross country
By virtue of its success in recent years, girls cross country is a hot commodity in the Valley.
Both University and Central Valley have produced top-five state finishes, including U-Hi’s championship three years ago.
And the two are ranked among the best teams in state again this year.
“We were good by the end of last year and have improved a lot,” said Titan coach Steve Llewellyn. “We’re certainly going to be a factor.”
The runners from CV’s fifth place finisher two years ago are now seniors. Because of that, said rival Shadle Park coach Bob Isitt, the CV girls should have something to prove.
“Yeah, we have veterans,” said CV’s Dale Poffenroth. “But is that going to count? The league must be really tough with four teams picked in the state’s top 10.”
Fortunately for Greater Spokane League teams a regional meet with the Big Nine provides for as many as three entrants.
Unfortunately, the Hangman Valley event will be every bit as demanding as the state meet. Defending champion Eisenhower of Yakima is again ranked No. 1.
While not a perfect method of rewarding cross country ability, it is better than the one-team alternative.
“The regional is a fair way to do it,” said Llewellyn. “The best teams are out of this side.”
All back on Titan district runnerup
Last year University missed a state berth by legislative decree, not accomplishment.
The Titans finished second in league with a 7-1 record and were second behind the GSL’s lone state entrant, eventual runnerup Mead.”
Every runner from last year’s team is back, including district eighth placer Lindsay Daehlin, a senior, 10th and 11th placers Taraka Campbell and Kelly Kearsley, both juniors, and 17th place finisher Robyn Cross, a sophomore.
“I’m not going to be rash and say we’ll win the GSL,” said Llewellyn, “but we’ll be in the battle. Some of the other kids really made strides.”
Improved are senior varsity veterans Shanna Delong, Angela Harman and junior Kelsie Bly.
The Titans, added Llewellyn, are just as deep on junior varsity.
“They are fairly new at cross country but after a good track season really ran diligently last summer,” he said. “That extra level of commitment is what did it.”
CV runners ready for senior year
As sophomores they won the GSL championship, finished second in district and fifth at state.
Now Central Valley runners are entering their final year.
“Our varsity group is pretty much seniors,” said Poffenroth. “Sometimes they do well, sometimes they don’t.”
And, he added, you never know when a freshman phenomenon is going to pop up for another team.
Still, there is reason for optimism for the Bears who last year were third in league and fourth at district.
Sixth placer Jenni Saling returns as does state track placer Sandra White. She was 14th in the cross country district meet.
“If she wants to, she can win it all,” said Poffenroth.
Joining them are district veterans Melissa Sherwood, Jenny Wigen, Natalie Warner and sophomore Anne Peterson.
Other varsity hopefuls are Heather Burrow and Beth Deehr.
What could make the difference is if Brandi Hemmings can run.
She could not compete last year because of injury and is running under doctor’s care this season.
“It’s been a rough high school career for her,” said Poffenroth. “She could have been good and still could be.”
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