Going The Distance Greater Spokane League Runners Heading Into New Season Of Cross Country Competition
Greater Spokane League distance runners measure successes in small steps, rather than giant strides.
Statewide standards have been established that, in ways, dwarf the extraordinary abilities of its athletes.
Mt. Spokane runners, for instance, had yet to embark on their maiden season and already the Wildcats were rated the fourth-best team in state.
In a preseason poll, six of the top eight boys and six of the top 10 girls cross country schools, including Mead, Mt. Spokane, Gonzaga Prep and Rogers, are from the GSL.
“Six teams rated among the top 10, that’s amazing,” said Shadle Park boys coach Randy Lothspeich. “We’re probably better teamwise this year, but being better doesn’t necessarily mean moving up the ladder.”
This year the eastern region’s state allotments may increase to four teams and 20 runners creating more opportunities for boys and girls.
That still means a GSL team can be among the best five in Washington and a runner can be among the state’s top 25 and the season will end at home.
Highlander girls coach Bob Isitt had a top-10 rated team last year and has many of those runners back. This year, the Highlanders were ignored.
“We get no recognition,” he said, “and actually I think we have as good a team as we’ve had in the last several years.”
Isitt shrugged off the slight. “We’ll try to work through this problem and see if we can surprise anybody,” he winked.
Certainly, the Highlanders were unjustly overlooked and the Mt. Spokane girls team was overrated.
“When the coaches ranked us they were assuming we had half of Mead’s team,” said coach Annette Pedersen. “The assumption was incorrect.”
The preseason poll merely underscores what GSL cross country has wrought.
The reputation is justifiable. Mead’s boys have won nine straight state titles. Even though expected number one runner Tommy Becker is at Mt. Spokane, the Panthers remain formidable.
“Mead has so much depth,” said North Central coach Jon Knight, “that their JV last year would have beaten half the varsity times. I can’t imagine they won’t be there.”
New Mt. Spokane coach Craig Dietz concurred.
“Their secondary kids get almost forgotten,” he said. “Half a dozen runners ran sub-4:30 1,600 meters, which are awesome times.”
The Panthers raised the bar and the other schools have followed in pursuit. Last year Mead beat University for the state title and Spokane runners had 11 of the top 20 finishes.
“As tough as it is,” said Mead coach Pat Tyson, “Most would rather be in our league because that’s what makes them as good as they are.”
Two of the top four girls teams were Mead and Lewis and Clark and seven of the top 17 placers came from the GSL.
“In the last six years, every team has been ranked in the top 10 and four different ones have won state titles,” said Gonzaga Prep coach Terry Kelly.
Coaches poll notwithstanding, runners can derive satisfaction knowing they are giving it their best weekly in the state’s paramount cross country arena.
“I don’t know where the coaches poll comes from,” said Knight. “We’ll just try to develop kids to their fullest potential, teach them to be good athletes and people and let the chips fall where they may.”
North Side GSL girls capsules
Gonzaga Prep
Four of Gonzaga Prep’s sixth-place regional finishing team returns.
Included are top two runners Jill Larson and Carly Barnes.
Others returning are seniors Sarah McLaughlin and Katie Mayer, sophomore North Sider Beth Leonetti, Cynthia Boge and Chelsea Olney.
Newcomers include sophomores Candace Olmstead and Bethany Struss, and freshman Robin Bell.
“You never know how far you’ll go,” said coach Terry Kelly. “I know our potential. We ran substantially better this year than last year at Shoreline.”
Mead
Mead is down to 42 from the usual 70 who turn out, but the Panthers have all their expected top 10 returnees.
Included are 17th place state finisher Kelly Mattingly. Junior Annie McCabe currently is number one. Seniors Rachae Probst, Cami McVay and Katie Carper return, joined by Sarah Bohman and freshman Amy Toliver.
The biggest loss through graduation was last year’s number one runner Katie Pollock.
Mattingly’s twin sister Theresa is devoting her attention to swimming full time.
“We’re heavy with seniors this year,” said coach Wes Player. “I think we’ll have a little tighter pack.”
Mt. Spokane
A turnout of 11 runners includes two who competed on the Mead junior varsity team, juniors Nichelle Pomeroy and Jolene Koeller.
Other juniors are Wendy Rickel and Elizabeth Wood.
Sophomores are Beth Pileggi, Sara Siler, Valerie Hershey, Lisa Dirks, Anna Gavrilenko and Rae Swenson.
Missy Becker is a freshman.
“Give me some barriers to run with, that’s what I need,” said former hurdler and Mead girls track coach Annette Pedersen. “Actually, I coached the last two years with Mr. Player at Mead and that helped a lot. The transition hasn’t been difficult.”
North Central
All but one of NC’s eight returning runners have been on varsity.
They include seniors Andrea Ball, Keri Bendixen, Lisa Forsyth, Christina Wallingford, juniors Erin Ryan, Leilani Wills, Kandace Wheeler, and sophomore Rachel Kilgren. Freshmen Denee Wolbert and Jenna Shay show promise.
“There’s potential there, the girls are awesome,” said coach Jan Janke. “It’s the best returning group of seniors I’ve had.”
Rogers
New coach and first-year teacher Sherri Northington played basketball at Whitworth, but has a track background.
“I was a distance runner for years,” she said.
Returning from last year are senior Amanda Lopez and sophomore Orlia Pajimola.
Senior newcomer Jill Hatch, whose brothers Cam and Lerrin ran at Rogers, will vie with Lopez for number one.
Others are freshman Esther Gaines, sister of former runner Cora, junior Traci Christner, Mikaela Flis, Elizabeth Harney and sophomore Lisa Chaffee.
“I’m excited to see what they’re going to do,” said Northington.
Shadle Park
The Highlanders will build around two 11:40, 3,200 runners from last spring and eight more athletes forming a pack.
Injury-free sophomore Erin Krogel and junior regional track participant Laniai Jones lead the team.
Senior Christa Eide, juniors Julie Sawatzky and Brooke Shelman ran varsity last year.
Newcomers have made an impact, including freshman Heidi Sawatzky, juniors Frankie Stone, Jill Leonetti, Lynette Palmer and senior Sarah Neeri.
“We’ve gone lower key. We’re trying to build and peak at the right time,” said Bob Isitt. “I’ve done higher mileage and you just end up tending injuries and fatigue.”
North Side GSL boys capsules
Gonzaga Prep
The Bullpups are preparing for the season in anticipation.
“I’ve been here since 1978 and this is by far, by far, the best team I’ve seen,” said coach Tony Maucione.
Jim Rucker, Rick White and Jim Falkner return from Prep’s fourth-place league team and eighth-place regional finisher.
Junior Pat Webber, senior Phil Long and Tim Ulmen won flights during Prep’s second-place finish at the Edmonds Invitational.
“A couple kids had off days. That happens,” said Maucione. “I certainly think we made a statement there.”
Seniors Adam Leskis, Brian Walker, Jim Solan, freshman John Ulmen and sophomore Dustin Duvanich provide depth.
“Perhaps we overraced and were tired at the end,” said Maucione. “Hopefully we’ll plan our races better.”
Mead
The high profile names have graduated and Mead isn’t favored to win the Greater Spokane League. But don’t count the Panthers out.
“I just pray the magic of Mead can help us,” said Pat Tyson.
Any of 15 runners could make the Panther top seven. Included are seniors Chris Deulen, Josh McLellan, Ryan Nash, Nick Trefry, Matt Lowe and junior Jon Houk and senior Joe Ames.
Other prospects are juniors Todd Fayant, Marc Swanson, seniors Matt Utley, Andrew Walton, Seth Normington, Vince Dressel, junior Nick Newman and sophomore surprise Kelley Compogno.
Dressel spent last year in New Zealand as an exchange student.
“We’re going to be more of a strong team,” said Tyson. “Certainly University has the nod because of experience. Hopefully tradition can make us competitive to give ‘em a good shot.”
Mt. Spokane
New coach Craig Dietz, who spent five years at North Central and had a second-place state finish, is excited about his new job.
“I would hate to be anything less than optimistic,” he said. “I’m realistically optimistic, too.”
Junior Tommy Becker was a two-event regional track qualifier for Mead. Four others, sophomores Tim Robinson, Chris Amistoso, Matt Pederson and junior Zach Meyers come out of the Mead cross country program. Freshmen Tyler Hartaov and Leif Olson look good.
“The young kids are working harder than I expected them to. They seem to be blossoming,” said Dietz. “What I enjoy about endurance athletics is, if you have a good heart and attitude, it’s not as much skill as the grit you’ve got.”
North Central
The Indians are relatively young, but they do have experience.
Seniors Brian Donovan, Ryan Keeney and Troy McLaughlin return. Junior Wes Perez moves up to number one. Senior David Robinson, sophomores Ben Clarke and Adam Lovano also are back.
Some will be displaced by newcomers, including sophomores Erik Johnson, Zach Weins and Jon Lamanna.
“We’re probably not going to finish first and won’t finish last. In this league, who knows?” said Jon Knight. “If we develop, I think we’ll do all right.”
Rogers Junior
Ryan Craig, sophomores Lerrin Hatch and Chris Olinger are set as the Pirates’ top runners.
“Right now that’s a pretty strong top three,” said coach Steve Kiesel. “We’re in a search for the rest. We’re still in the weeding out process.”
Senior Damien Roy, junior Jay Lawless, Lucas Anderson, Andy Dahl, sophomores Joe Schultz, Jaosn Robins, Kevin Safran and Jon Smith are all in the mix.
“We’re really a young team,” said Kiesel. “If I could get them to run more together in the off-season, they could be a good group.”
Shadle Park
The Highlanders are junior oriented. Eric Wynne and Levi Penick are the only seniors.
Juniors Jeff Klages and Charles Howlett are running one-two.
Other juniors on varsity are Marshall Stanton, Scott Nelson and Rocky Steele. Newcomers are freshman Michael Kiter, juniors Tyron Lindquist and Joel Landrus.
“They made a big step in the right direction, running 350-500 miles during the summer,” said Randy Lothspeich. “That’s a huge commitment.”
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