Swimming In Glory University Captures Third Straight State Title

All season, University and Mt. Spokane’s cross country teams were joined at the hip.

The Greater Spokane League schedule had paired them weekly against the same teams, even if the races didn’t count against each other after the first meet.

And so it was that in the final meet of the season, the State 4A boys race at Sun Willows Golf course, the two were practically joined at its conclusion.

The Titans won their third straight state title by the narrowest of margins, an 81-82 victory over the Wildcats, who were making their first state team appearance. In third, just eight points further back, was regional champion Mead. The outcome only verified what Panthers coach Pat Tyson had said the week before: that this would the closest finish to a state meet in years.

“It could have gone either way if one kid didn’t finish or one kid let up at the finish,” said a dripping-wet U-Hi coach Bob Barbero, who had taken a water-hazard dunking that has become a ritual. “Does somebody mess up in the chute and if they do does it effect them or us?”

There were plenty of what-ifs for all three teams concerned, whose injuries, illnesses and the occasional letdown affected their seasons to the end.

The ultimate difference wasn’t that U-Hi had runners among the top finishers, as had been the case in its two previous victories and as did Mt. Spokane and Mead in this race.

The difference was that its five scorers were more tightly packed, just 3 seconds separating four of them.

Brandon Stum, who inherited the No. 1 spot because of injury to Max Schmidt, finished 13th overall.

“Coach just told us no matter what, we could win,” said Stum. “With or without Max, he said we could do it. But one little mistake by anybody and it was over.”

Schmidt, who didn’t run last week to rest a sore foot ligament, was obviously hobbled but finished second in the four-runner pack that followed Stum. They placed 17th, 18th, 20th and 21st.

“They ran an awesome race,” said Barbero.

But Mt. Spokane’s maiden appearance as a team and its first victory over rival Mead served notice that it is a program to reckon with.

“The kids worked hard,” coach Craig Dietz said. “They had a mission, they had some vision and we brought it to fruition. We planted the seeds and if they keep growing, we’ll be excited to create a new forest out here.”

Dietz credited the weekly battles with U-Hi for toughening up his team.

“It makes you realize when you race, every one is in full battle dress,” he said.

Sophomore Cam Schwehr crossed in 15:54 for seventh place and senior Tim Robinson finished 25th in 16:24.

Schwehr will be called upon to be a big producer for two more years. And he’s excited about it.

“I’m racing with the big boys now,” he said. “It’s been a really exciting trip to get here. I’m enjoying every minute of it.”

Mead’s usual No. 2 runner, Kelley Compogno, had a uncharacteristic race, finishing 75th, and it spelled the difference for the Panthers.

But they received good outings from junior Chris Fayant and sophomores Nate Boyce and Bryan Becherini, so expect more races like this in the GSL’s future.

4A girls

Gonzaga Prep trophied in its first team state appearance. The Bullpups were one runner away from finishing much higher than fourth place.

Prep had four finishers among the top 20 team scorers, second behind champion Eisenhower up to that point.

Its fifth finisher, however, was well behind, in 77th place.

“You know what? It takes a team. One, two or three runners can’t do it,” said coach Terry Kelly. “But I don’t think we could have done a lot better than we did.”

The Bullpups were paced by overall 12th placer Adrienne Isgrigg, a junior.

Wheelchair

Tyler Byers won his fourth straight wheelchair division cross country title Saturday.

And the Ferris High senior did it with two good tires.

Byers completed the 1.6-mile course along the housing loop at Sun Willows Golf Course in 7 minutes, 13 seconds.

His finish was 2:21 ahead of second-place Daniel Roberts, a freshman from Franklin-Pierce. It was a three-person field.

Byers, who hopes to race for the University of Arizona on a partial scholarship next year, didn’t warm up.

“They have junk that pops your tires,” he said. “The last two years, I’ve run with flat tires. I didn’t want to do that again.”

He did discover that one tire was flat by the end.

Byers said he will take a week off before beginning wrestling season with the Saxons. He competes at 103 pounds.

“I think I’m ready,” he said with his ever-present smile.

Janie McCauley contributed to this story.