Returning Runners Give Rams An Edge
GNL CROSS COUNTRY
Riverside’s senior-oriented cross country program has the ingredients to make a trophy dash among State 2A cross country teams.
The district champion and state second-place girls team returns six runners. The boys team also brings back six varsity runners, three of whom qualified for state as individuals.
An added bonus is that Colville has moved up in class and Lakeside’s two-time state champions were hit hard by graduation.
“Both our teams are shooting for a state trophy,” said Riverside coach Bill Kemp. “We haven’t done that for a couple of years.”
The Ram boys finished fourth at the Highlander Invitational on Saturday and learned that only seconds separates them from state-favored Omak.
As such, Kemp has high hopes for a trophy effort.
“Most of the guys are three- and four-year runners,”` he said. “I’m going to cry at the end of this season.”
But Kemp remains cautious regarding the girls.
“I graduated my district champion,” he said, “and not a one of all those seniors ran in the off season. I have high hopes, but they’re not there yet.”
State veterans are numerous among the Rams.
Included are senior boys James Taylor, Wink Hodgson and Ian Hansen. Phil Gordley finished ahead of them at the Highlander, and Jamieson Kaluza placed high among sophomores.
Kemp listed seven seniors with varsity potential as well as one junior and another sophomore.
The girls returnees include fifth-place state finisher and state 800 champion Katie Prichard.
“She’s made a significant improvement over last year already,” he said. “History tells me you got to be good and sometimes be lucky. I think she can be a contender.”
Other state runners are Makayla Gabel, Chanelle Teichert, Becca Hassler, Hayley Wood and Averie Powell. Patty Tallant ran fifth for the team at district but didn’t compete at state.
Lakeside tries to maintain tradition
Lakeside coach Matt Sullivan would like nothing better than to continue the boys’ run of two straight state championships.
“If there was some way to do so, we would top it,” he said. “We’re building pretty much from scratch.”
Only two varsity runners Shawn Close and Andy Prentice return from last year’s titlist team.
“When you look at it, having the 7th and 13th guys in state puts us in the hunt,” said Sullivan, “providing we can even get there.”
Doing so will take come-throughs from runners like junior Ben Bailly if the Eagles hope to challenge Riverside and Pullman, the other Great Northern League contender in Sullivan’s estimation.
“We’ll see what happens with us,” said Sullivan. “I’m not so sure at this point.”
He’s more confident in what his girls team has a chance to accomplish.
“The tough thing is getting the girls through district,” he said. “But we have a good chance to send the girls to state for the first time ever.”
Most of the team returns from last year, including Lisa Erikson, Stacey Heidt, Kendra Colyar and Kari Welch. Add in sophomore Whitney Blackwell, currently recovering from a stress fracture, and the Eagles could fly.
Deer Park starts over
Although last year’s Deer Park teams were young, they are beginning again this season.
“A lot of last year’s juniors are now seniors who did Running Start and didn’t come out,” said coach Cheryl Yoke.
Returning for the boys are Scott Siegfried and Ben Bray. First-year senior Joel Palmer will likely be the team’s No. 1 runner.
Back for the girls are April O’Brien and Kira Simonson. Christine Hopkins-Hubbard ran as a freshman and returns as a junior.
German exchange student Janine Stuchemann will help.
“She’s looking pretty tough,” said Yoke. “She was second in a race in Cheney, which is pretty exciting.”
Stuchemann was an equestrienne jumper who had never run before.
CROSS COUNTRY ROSTERS BOYS Lakeside Shawn Close senior Andy Prentice junior Ben Bailey junior Seth Hickman sophomore Sam Hensold sophomore Gabe Hensold senior Jared Stanton senior Brandon Bowker sophomore Ricky Martin junior Adam Trefry junior Riverside Ian Hansen senior Phil Gordley senior James Taylor senior Wink Hodgson senior Justin Kapple senior Andy Lamarche senior Mike Daubel senior Nat Calamie senior Jamison Kaluza sophomore Jud Hansen sophomore John Conley junior Deer Park Joel Palmer senior Scott Siegfried sophomore Ben Bray junior Jim Hansen junior James Agidius junior Jared Winston junior Jon Bensel junior Matt Terry junior Brent Langland freshman Burk Simonson freshman GIRLS Lakeside Lisa Erikson senior Stacey Heidt junior Kendra Colyar junior Kari Welch junior Teresa Axtell sophomore Whitney Blackwell sophomore Jessica DeLong sophomore Riverside Katie Prichard sophomore Makayla Gabel senior Patty Tallant junior Chanelle Teichert senior Becca Hassler senior Haley Wood senior Averie Powell junior Debbie Lynch sophomore Deer Park April O’Brien junior Kira Simonson sophomore Christine Hopkins-Hubbard junior Michelle Cameron sophomore Janine Stuchemann junior