Champion Staff Benefits Mead, Nc Programs

GSL boys cross country

Spokane cross country dominance and Mead coach Pat Tyson are synonymous.

Before his school’s nine straight state championships, however, there was North Central’s Len Long. Long guided the Indians to a state championship and four second-place finishes in the 1970s.

The Panthers still have Tyson. Long has rejoined the NC program as an assistant to Jon Knight.

“I’ve learned a lot from him,” said Knight. “He’s just about put the whole show on his shoulders and carries the team along.”

Long, a master motivator, said his job is to make the runners mentally tougher. That will only serve to make the Greater Spokane League, already the state’s premier distance running conference, a little bit better.

Mead is in the middle of a lowprofile period, without a name runner, just lots of good ones.

The names belong to other schools, including Tom Becker, Mt. Spokane’s defending state cross country and mile champion, and Ryan Craig, Rogers’ district track 3,200 meter winner.

The Panther pack will chase defending state titlist University for team honors.

Panthers get deserved respect

Mead’s state championship string was ended by U-Hi last year.

The Panthers aren’t favored to win this year’s GSL, either. But they are picked among the state’s top teams.

“At least the state gives us fifth place out of respect,” said Tyson.

The Panthers are experiencing an unusual cycle, he said, in which the team has been senior dominated. In essence it has started over each year.

“We are also going against a league that is much better than when we dominated,” said Tyson.

While inexperienced, Mead this year has more balance throughout its classes.

Jon Houk is the lone varsity returner. Joining him are seniors Matt Leone, Todd Fayant, Marc Swanson and Colin Troy.

Junior prospects are Kelley Compogno, Matt Folsom and Ryan Lee. Sophomore hopefuls are Chris Fayant and Blair Flahavan.

And, said Tyson, the freshman class, including Tim Schuermer and Jesse Fayant, is talented. He compares it with the Matt and Micah Davis, Rob Aubrey, Greg James, Skiiy DeTray group of season’s past.

“They are high spirited,” said Tyson. “It’s exciting.”

The future at Mead is good.

Rogers still lacks depth

Rogers has two state-caliber athletes. But the Pirates are still shy of depth.

“We have a strong one-two, then we’re young and inexperienced,” said coach Steve Keisel. “If we had one more runner we’d be right there.”

Craig, who missed last cross country season with injury, was the league’s top track two-mile runner.

“He’s had a very good summer,” said Keisel. “He’s definitely not going to be a surprise.”

Junior Chris Olinger is a returning state cross country veteran.

“He had a solid summer also and is breathing right down Ryan’s neck,” said Keisel.

Behind them are Lerrin Hatch, who’s coming off an injury, freshmen Tony Zammit and Tim Pillars, senior Jay Lawless, and sophomores Brandon Daily and Will Jesse.

Bullpups run in a pack

A year ago, Gonzaga Prep finished fifth in league, but wound up fourth in regional and third at state.

Coach Tony Maucione wouldn’t mind that same progression. The Bullpups will do it without their top two runners, who graduated.

“We’ll certainly run closer together, which is good in bigger meets,” said Maucione.

Senior Adam Leskis and sophomore John Ulmen, he said, must become front-runners.

They, along with Patrick Weber, are veterans of the state team.

Newcomers include seniors Pat Webbinger, James Solan and first-year runner Brandon Janosky.

“I’m real pleased with his progress,” said Maucione.

Juniors Dustin Duvanich and Geoff Arte and first-year runner Matt Turner are other hopefuls.

North Central team ‘restoking’

North Central is young, but early season efforts were promising.

“We’re restoking,” said Knight. “We have one senior. I guess you’d call it a rebuilding year.”

Wes Perez is NC’s senior citizen and highest regional returnee. But he’s been surpassed by juniors Ben Clarke and Charles Degnan.

“If they keep training hard, both have a shot at regionals,” said Knight.

Others on the team are juniors Erick Olson, Zach Weins, Adam Lovano, and sophomores Jeff Clemens, Travis Martin, James Toshack and Josiah Roloff.

“This league is so hard you could be pretty good and still be ninth,” said Knight. “I don’t think we’ll be last.”

Mt. Spokane has the ingredients

With a state champion and year of experience to guide them, the Wildcats should make some noise.

“We have a horse out front and the kids are a year older and a little more mature,” said coach Craig Deitz.

Becker, obviously, is as good as they get in the GSL.

“He’s focused and stronger,” said Deitz. “He’s got some big missions in life and lot of them revolve around his running.”

Joining him are senior veteran Zach Meyers, juniors Tim Robinson, Chris Amistoso, and sophomores Tyler Hartanov and Leif Olson.

Newcomers are senior Anthony Hardman, sophomores Jess Roskelley, Joe Marek, Josh Koeller and freshman Cameron Schwehr.

“We have kids who want to improve what they did in the past,” said Deitz. “Hopefully, we’ll be positively surprised.”

Shadle veterans don’t come back

With most of his team projected to return, coach Rand Lothspeich was anticipating the season.

He had a bigger turnout and they ran seriously during the summer. Then three veterans and a newcomer didn’t turn out.

“It’s probably a new millennium-type thing. Some kids couldn’t make the committment,” said Lothspeich.

Those who stayed will be asked to carry the load.

Sophomore Michael Kiter is the team’s number one runner.

Senior veterans are captain Scott Nelson, Marshall Stanton, Rocky Steele and Joel Landrus.

Freshmen Joel Lewis and Joe Hicks, sophomore Travis Shea, junior Justin Kurrus and senior Tyron Lindquist are other varsity hopefuls.

Had everyone come back, said Lothspeich, “We could have had an outside shot at going to state. That’s coaching. You get a new batch every year and do the best you can.”