Senior Trio, Twin Frosh Bolster EV Title Hopes 4th State Crown Goal, But First Comes Regional

The Three Amigos are slowly giving way to the Two Hermanas, but one thing remains constant: East Valley’s girls cross country team is still muy, muy bien.

EV’s strong showing began in 1994, when freshmen AnnMarie Adams, Cara Smith and Carmen Cook all placed in the top 28 to lead the Knights to the school’s first girls state title in any sport.

The freshmen, who earned the nickname “The Three Amigos,” still run for EV in various roles as the team takes aim at its fourth consecutive state title. No girls team at any level has won more than three straight.

EV’s depth increased this fall when twin freshmen Melissa and Melanie Frostad materialized almost out of thin air. Melissa was the sister with running experience, but word had her heading out of state for the year. Melanie was recruited away from her normal sport, soccer.

“Melanie could barely keep up with us at the beginning of the year,” said Adams, who also knew little about running before high school. “Then Melissa showed up one day. We thought she was going to live in Montana.”

By the time of SunFair in Yakima, the state’s largest invitational, rolled around, Melanie was running No. 1.

New blood revitalizing the Knights is nothing unusual. Fearless freshmen have added to EV’s dimensions since the Amigos’ sophomore year.

Korinda Godwin came along in 1995 and is still a top-seven fixture. Crystal Gerky eased into the lineup last year, and fellow sophomore Joann Adams, AnnMarie’s sister, began working toward the top-seven spot she secured this fall.

The ‘94 trio, meanwhile, has been missing an amigo. Stress fractures and severe ankle sprains halted Cook for two years. She returned for her senior season, but hasn’t quite cracked the varsity lineup.

“She’s so strong,” Adams said of Cook. “I don’t think I could have stayed with it after all that.”

Smith has also battled leg problems, specifically a muscle below her right kneecap that irritates a nerve. Surgery last year didn’t correct the ailment.

Smith, a tennis player before junior high, has another concern as she prepares for Wednesday’s Region IV-3A meet at Hangman Valley Golf Course. She finally received medication for a sinus infection that has lingered for two weeks.

“I always get sick around state,” said Smith, EV’s top finisher at district and state last year.

South Whidbey placed second to EV at the last three state meets, in ‘94 by three points and in ‘95 by four. This year, Newport of Bellevue shapes up as the main challenger. Bellevue, also the Knights, has defeated EV at SunFair and the Shorecrest Invite.

“A little competition doesn’t hurt anyone,” Adams said.

Thursday’s regional meet will offer EV a different challenge. Past races at Hangman were district meets involving Frontier League teams. The Frontier, pared to four teams this year because of state reclassification, will pool its state berths with the Mid-Valley League this time around.

Whatever the format, there should be a lot of EV green running up front. Often, Adams said, the team’s biggest stress involves which Knight will place ahead of which other Knights.

“We don’t really have a No. 1 runner,” Smith agreed. “We go back and forth. I think that’s neat because that means we’re all strong.

“But I also think we should just run as a team and not think, ‘I have to beat this or that girl.”’

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