Mixing A’S And B’S Can Cause Headaches
General weirdness has characterized this year’s cross country season.
Perhaps that trend will change once serious racing replaces behind-the-scenes operations.
The confusion began when the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association decreed that too few Class B schools were competing in cross country to justify a separate state meet. After four years of racing on their own, the B’s were thrust back in with the A’s.
Never mind the inherent silliness of this idea: schools with enrollments dipping into double digits competing against schools nearly 10 times their size.
This also caught some programs by surprise, as the WIAA issued its edict without warning.
Class B schools such as Northwest Christian, St. George’s, Wilbur-Creston and Springdale, which had spent years building successful programs, were suddenly kicked back to Square One.
The B’s - and A’s - were in for another surprise when it came to district competition. Every A or B schedule sent to The Spokesman-Review reflected the belief that district meets would again take place on a Wednesday at Hangman Valley Golf Course.
Meanwhile, the Greater Spokane League scrubbed its district meet for a regional event with the Big Nine Conference. The Big Nine required a Saturday race, so the GSL (and Frontier League) forged ahead with plans to move the event away from Wednesday.
Chewelah coach Dan Stone said Northeast A coaches first learned of the change at a Sept. 6 coaches meeting.
Wilbur Creston coach Jim Cox isn’t standing around while the WIAA takes away the State B race.
Cox is organizing an unofficial state tournament at the Wilbur Golf Course on Oct. 14.
Positive response has come from North Beach, Seattle Lutheran and every Bi-County League school. Cox hopes Panorama League powers and other Seattle-area teams join in.
Dynasty on line
When the Mead boys wrapped up their seventh consecutive State AAA cross country title last November, they knew Ferris could hinder plans for No. 8.
At the time, the Panthers counted on the return of Cody Enzler, who finished 19th at state as a junior.
But Enzler didn’t turn out this year, making coach Pat Tyson’s Panthers more vulnerable to Ferris. The USA Today rated Ferris as No. 2 in the nation even though the Saxons are ranked behind Mead in Washington state.
Ferris, led by junior Isaac Hawkins and seniors Paul Harkins and David Schruth, pounded the pavements over the summer with revenge in mind. The Saxons lost to Mead by three points at district and missed state because of it. Ferris coach Mike Hadway believes his team may finally catch Mead.
“But it’s hard to tell what Tyson will pull out of his sleeve,” Hadway said. “On paper, yeah, we could - if my guys run to their potential and don’t get sick or hurt.”
Don’t feel too sorry for Mead. One cross country publication ranked the ‘Mead frosh’ as No. 1 in its poll.
That may be a stretch, but young runners like Jason Fayant, David Green and twins Ryan and Chad Wiser should combine with veterans Mark Mohrland, Morgan Thompson and Adam Cyr to make up for the loss of Enzler.
Noteworthy
North Central lost top running back Lewis Tomlinson for several games. Tomlinson hurt a knee during a non-contact drill. … Boys basketball coach Brian Paine has left St. John-Endicott for Southridge, the new high school in Kennewick. Paine will coach freshmen this season. Former Willapa Valley coach Darrell Miller replaced Paine at SJE.
, DataTimes