Sp, Mead Tied For First In Gsl Girls Track
The look of Greater Spokane League girls track was altered last week.
It wasn’t entirely unexpected.
When Shadle Park defeated Central Valley 73-71, and Lewis and Clark edged perennial title contender University by a point, it bore out what coaches said prior to the season.
This year’s GSL is as close among five or six schools as it ever has been.
After two weeks, Shadle - which won its lone league title in 1978 - shares the lead with Mead, winner of four straight titles and 11 overall.
To date, the Panthers look as formidable as ever, having outscored their opposition 456-100. But the team has CV and LC up next before its season-ending meet next week with the Highlanders and U-Hi.
Shadle needs a win at Ferris today to remain unbeaten.
“I like the progression,” said coach Ivan Corley of his schedule. “But Ferris scares me.”
Nothing, it seems, has scared the Highlanders, a combination of veteran athletes and saucy freshmen.
“I can’t say enough about them,” said Corley of his precocious ninth graders.
Two who have stood out to date are shot putter Shalonda Tate, who already has a 38-4 toss, and hurdler Lisa Hansen, who last week ran 48.3 in the 300 hurdles.
Coupled with senior leadership and a solid sprint corps that makes the Shadle relay tough, the girls are more confident, said Corley.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “It’s gotten contagious.”
Corley admits that the schedule fell his way. When Shadle beat Lewis and Clark, the Tigers weren’t at full strength. Nor was CV, whose league-leading sprinter rested shin splints.
“The other coaches said, however, that the kids still have to compete and a meet has to happen,” said Corley. “Our kids have done what was necessary.”
And there they are, tied for first place midway through the season.
Cook is smokin’
Oliver Cook missed out on Shadle’s basketball state appearance when he moved away.
Now back at the North Side school, the two-time, state-placing javelin thrower is right on target.
After losing to area leader Keith Carpenter of CV by two feet in their dual meet, Cook surpassed Carpenter with a 192-8 throw at Rogers High’s 34th Mooberry Relays two days later.
He also teamed with Sam Glanzer for a triple jump victory.
Shadle’s boys and girls each finished second in the meet, behind West Valley’s boys and Mead’s girls.
Mead sprint relay teams edged the Highlander girls twice in spirited races. The Panthers also won the discus, javelin, shot put and triple jump relays in the field.
Mead boys overwhelming
Mead’s boys track team still has its closest challengers to face, including at Central Valley today, but so far the Panthers look formidable in their quest for a 16th straight GSL title.
In four league meets, the team has averaged 127.5 points out of a possible 145, including a near-perfect 143-2 win over North Central.
As expected, Mead has Jason Fayant, Morgan Thompson and Ryan Wiser among the state’s top five distances runners in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meter races.
Sophomore Casey Clark is a state high jump leader and Shawn Gumke is among the state’s best pole vaulters.
And the team has league leaders in six of 17 events.
Saturday soccer finales have impact
Saturday’s quadrupleheader GSL soccer season finale at Albi Stadium will attract plenty of interest.
Eight teams, all chasing five playoff berths, will watch and play intently.
With two matches to go, Mead, Shadle Park and North Central remain in contention.
All need at least one win to place among the top five. NC played Shadle on Wednesday and finishes against University. The Highlanders finish against Gonzaga Prep.
, DataTimes