Valley Teams Continue Chase Of Mead, Ferris

The Greater Spokane League track season is two weeks away, but coaches from Central Valley and University High Schools are already planning strategy for their season opening meet against each other.

The winner between last year’s third- and fourth-place finishers at CV on April 11, will continue its chase of favorites Mead and Ferris.

“It will be tough for us to go against those three,” said Bear coach Chuck Bowden whose team is coming off a 6-2 dual season.

Both the Bears and Titans, who were 5-3 in league last year, are improved. Mead, however, is after its 15th straight league title, and Ferris is optimistic it can sidetrack the Panther dynasty.

“I hope those two battle it out and forget about us,” said Titan coach Keven Frandsen, who wants to sneak up on the expected leaders.

Quartermilers lead CV charge

In the history of Central Valley track only four runners have bettered 50 seconds for 400 meters.

Two of them are staples of this year’s senior class.

Andy Whipple and Ryan Strickland qualified for state with 49.8 and 49.9 times respectively and were members of the district and regional champion 4x400 relay team that ran 3:22.1, then was disqualified at state and went unplaced.

“Their goal is to get back,” said Bowden, along with state qualifying triple jumper Rick Giampietri and two athletes who just missed.

Pole vaulter Ryon Strickland won the GSL meet at 14-feet-1. In regionals, Robby Warnock ran a school record 1:55.3 800. He is currently recovering from mononucleosis.

They are among the 20 seniors and eight juniors, as well as 12 sophomores who lettered last year.

“It’s an incredible group of seniors, the best I’ve been around,” said Bowden. “We have strong juniors and a very good sophomore group.”

Joining Strickland and Whipple in the sprints (100 through 400 meters) and relays are seniors Georgio Usai, Zach Moore, John Foster and Ryan Millar, junior transfer Wayne Michael and sophomores Nate McFarlane, Eric Kettenton, Josh Hemenway and Zac Scott.

Warnock, a junior, and senior Brandon Larson are joined in the distances by seniors Jeff McGlocklin and Curt Schultz, junior Brien McGuire and sophomore Richie Lentz.

Hurdlers are junior Hoa Duong, sophomores Garret Graham and McFarlane.

Horizontal jumpers besides Giampietri are Moore and sophomores Ryan Smith, McFarlane and Graham.

Carson May and Triplett are senior high jumpers.

Pole vaulters besides Triplett include juniors Chris Folsom and Ty Dempsey, sophomore Norm Tollfeson and Ty Potratz.

Senior discus-shot putters are Matt Ahrens, Phil Hudlow, John Hemmert, Robert Grizzle, Chuck Booten, Jerret Jordin, sophomores are Preston Crossman, Brandon Bouge and Will Beck.

Javelin throwers are senior Corey Thomas, juniors Tim Beck and Keith Carpenter.

“The kids walked away from last year hungry,” said Bowden.

Future track attracts U-Hi horde

The promise of an all-weather track to be installed before next season has attracted University’s largest turnout.

Frandsen counted some 95 athletes, including regional champion Craig Allen, whose 6-10 high jump last year was equal to the state’s best, in his stable.

“If they develop quickly,” Frandsen said, “We’ll have a good season.”

Besides Allen, much of U-Hi’s senior experience comes in the weight events.

Jeff Hollenbach has already approached 52-feet in the shotput. Jason Wilson in the discus and Tom Haberman in the javelin are returning regional qualifiers.

The throwers are bolstered by Mike Rosa, Mike Clark and newcomer Mike Roberg in the shot. Jason Moore, Mickey Lyson, Brian Jamison and Mark Johnston are in the discus. Bryan McMurtrey and Justin Chissus are in the javelin. Junior Zaq Flanary does all three.

“We’re going to be better than average in the weights,” said Frandsen.

Another Titan strength is the jumps where Mike Pugh, a junior, is a returning regional triple jump vet. Behind him in the horizontal jumps are McMurtrey, Nick Matioda, Erik Carlson, Jason Bright and possibly sprinter Jason Berger.

Carlson, fellow juniors John Olson, Jared Garner and sophomore Chris McCallum back Allen in the high jump.

University has a veteran pole vault crew in Cody Hirschi, Eric Davis, Jesse Larson and Bob Hattenberg, sophomore newcomer Ed Stretch and freshman Jeff Wineinger.

Regional qualifier Paul Salcido, Pugh, Larson and sophomores David Bunnell, Kyle Cossette and DaMon Foreman are the hurdles prospects.

Berger is another regional veteran who heads a young sprint corps in races from 100 through 400 meters. Pugh, Bright, Foreman, McMurtrey and Brian Conrad are juniors being chased by freshmen Matt Miller, Mike Lukes and Mahlon Kerwick.

The distance group is likewise young but did well in cross country.

Seniors Kyle Hentze and J.R. Roberts are joined by 800 runner Paul Knighton, juniors T.J. Sulzle, James Barry and Mike Johnson, sophomore Pat Maguire and freshmen such as Mike Visintainer to fill races from 800 through 3,200 meters.

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