Blackhawks Coach Looking For Depth

Thu., Sept. 24, 1998

By Mike Vlahovich mikev@spokesman.com (509) 927-2180

West Plains cross country

Cheney cross country coach Jay Martin has his biggest turnout of boys. Finding depth, however, will still be a problem.

“I just think we’re maybe a year away,” Martin said of the Blackhawks’ 3A Frontier League prospects. “Four kids did some running this summer. We don’t have a fifth anywhere in sight.”

Five runners count in scoring of a cross country meet.

The veterans are seniors Kevin Mahoney and Ryan Shannahan and juniors Andy Davis and Jordan Tait.

A couple of others, sophomore Josh Alert and freshman Chad Portwood, show promise.

“After that they are way back timewise,” said Martin. “We’ll fill out the team with whoever it is.”

His girls team is in a similar situation.

Sophomore Mariana Sheldon trained all summer and is doing well.

Her teammates are brand new. They are Sarah Westby, Lindsay Stewart, Hillary Shannahan, Brianna Lemke and Jennifer Curry.

“I’m excited to have more girls out,” said Martin, “but we just don’t have any experience.”

Medical Lake boys improved

Five veteran Medical Lake’s boys runners offer promise for the 2A Great Northern League cross country.

The problem is that the league, even with two state berths this year, is so strong.

“It’s really, really tough with teams like Lakeside, Colville and Riverside in there,” said coach Laurie (Ticknor) Chadwick.

Leading the way for the team are last year’s numbers one and two runners, seniors Jeff Wendt and Chip Kepka.

Also back are senior wrestling standout Ben Steele, who ran number four, sophomore Jon Devers and senior Tim Zeitler.

“Jon was number six last year and is now running number three for us,” said Chadwick. “He has improved massively.”

He’s also moving away at the end of the season.

Rounding out the top seven are freshman Robby Miller and junior John Sherwood, a swimmer competing in cross country for the first time.

Joe Morris and Loren Stimson are other varsity hopefuls.

“It’s more competitive,” said Chadwick. “More kids are running faster and packed closer together.”

The girls turnout includes just three girls. Sophomore Ashlee Headlee is running number one, followed by senior second-year varsity runners Audrey Mauro and Sara Cotton.

“They’re already running as well as at the end of last season,” said Chadwick. “They’ll show a lot of improvement.”

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