Panthers Serve Notice
The hunter has become the hunted, thanks in part to Mead sophomore Jesse Fayant, who was part of a gritty four-runner effort.
In a season-opening Greater Spokane League cross country meet befitting the state’s top three teams, Fayant’s sprint to third place helped the Panthers to a 27-29 victory over the defending champion and top-rated University Titans on Wednesday at Liberty Lake Park.
Mead had four runners behind Titans winner Max Schmidt, but in front of U-Hi’s third finisher. Now it is the Panthers, not U-Hi, who are again the target of the rest of the GSL.
“Now I’m a little worried,” said Mead coach Pat Tyson to his team after the thrilling win. “The bottom line is, guys, they’re going to be hurting a bit. U-Hi is going to be back, tougher than ever.”
University ended Mead’s decade-long stranglehold on the GSL with two straight league titles. But the Panthers are apparently back after Fayant outlegged Titan Dustin Stum in a near dead-heat finish.
Coupled with Kelley Compogno’s fifth-place effort and a strong run by another sophomore, Nate Boyer, Mead pulled off the victory.
“Today, we ran smart,” said Compogno. “It feels good.”
Despite the loss, Titans coach Bob Barbero was not unduly distressed.
“It was a great race,” he said. “I thought we’d come off the hill and run them down and we didn’t. I thought their sophomores ran great.”
Caught in the crossfire was Mt. Spokane, which lost 27-29 to the Titans. It also lost 22-33 to Mead.
“We came within two points of the No. 1 team in state, so I’d like to think we’re close,” said Wildcats coach Craig Dietz. “And we didn’t run as well as we could.”
Mead’s upset of the Titans wasn’t the only meet that jumbled the league. Shadle Park joined the Panthers at 3-0 by knocking off last year’s state third- and fourth-place finishing teams, Lewis and Clark and Ferris.
Michael Kiter duplicated his Highlander victory over Andrew Ice in a meet record and his young teammates did the rest during 26-31 and 27-29 wins over the Saxons and Tigers.
Rogers opened the season at 2-0 with yet another 27-29 win, over North Central, and a 19-33 win over East Valley.
The Pirates had three of the top four finishers, led by Chris Olinger’s 16:07 victory at Audubon Park.
Gonzaga Prep’s status as league favorite wasn’t harmed during its GSL girls debut.
The Bullpups had four of the top six finishers to defeat Mead 24-32 and University 20-35.
Coupled with its victory over Mt. Spokane, Gonzaga is tied with Shadle Park at 3-0.
The Highlanders had the first three finishers to assure wins over Lewis and Clark and Ferris, ultimately by 22-33 and 19-37 scores.
Erin Krogel, Chelsey Latendresse and Heidi Sawatzky swept the race en route to victory.
East Valley had a successful GSL debut with its 28-29 escape of North Central. The Knights had a 1-2 finish from twins Melanie and Melissa Frostad and fourth place from Crystal Gerky to hang on.
Gonzaga’s victory wasn’t surprising given the improvement this year of third and fourth runners, Beth Leonetti and Robin Bell.
Both chased the lead pack, just 35 seconds behind winning teammate Carly Barnes.
“We spent a lot of time together with our whole team to become more united,” said Leonetti. “We want that unity on the course.”
Coach Terry Kelly pointed out that the bunched group has been the key to Prep’s success.
But he could have been speaking for all the coaches after Wednesday’s wild debut.
“You never know what’s going to happen in a GSL meet,” he said. “Until you cross the line, it’s not over.”