New State Qualifying Format Raises The Stakes

GSL boys track and field

Ivan Corley didn’t want to admit it, but he had to say it.

“Last year was kind of weird, there was no Mead team in the top four,” the Shadle Park track coach said. “I think that’s going to change.”

For the first time in more than a decade, the Mead boys weren’t a factor in the Greater Spokane League.

The final four included University, Shadle Park, Mt. Spokane and Central Valley.

All four could be there again, but Mead should be right in the hunt.

A lot depends on the schedule. There are no longer divisions, with the top two out of each making the finals.

Now, the top four teams with the fewest losses advance to the final four quadrangular meet. And, the teams don’t face an even number of opponents - some have eight scoring meets, others seven.

Corley knows he’s in it tough right from the start - the Highlanders are going to University tonight to face the defending league and state champs.

Shadle Park beat U-Hi in the first meet of the year last spring but the Titans came back to win in the league finals.

The Highlanders were third at state but must watch out for Mt. Spokane, which was sixth, with Central Valley and Ferris in the top 11.

“To be honest, this is one of those years I hate to kind of call it,” Corley said. “I think it could be a real close race. I think some of us are stronger GSL league teams and some of us are stronger big meet teams.”

Bullpups strong in the middle

Gonzaga Prep is battling injuries among the distance runners and lack of depth for the short sprints.

“We’ll be strong in the throws and hurdles,” coach John Traynor Jr. said. “Where we’re going to be hurting is in the distances, we have some injuries, and short sprints.”

The lone healthy distance runner is Dustin Duvanich.

Regional qualifier Matt Blaine, Evan McClean and Matt Turner, if healthy, head the hurdle-middle distance-relay crops.

Covering the throws are Ian Brown in discus, Luke Orlando in shot put and Justin Prosser and Steve Shogan in javelin.

“I think we’ll be able to compete,” Traynor said. “Teams stacked in sprints and distances will hurt us but we will be able to make a lot of that up in our throws.”

Panthers on the prowl again

Hall of Fame Mead coach Gary Baskett is gone with John Mires as his replacement.

Mires continues the rebuilding process that started last year when Mead’s string of 17 GSL titles, and 20 overall, ended.

“We’re going to be much improved,” Mires said. “The young kids we had last year and going to continue to improve. They’ve taken ownership in the program.”

Mead’s strength will be in the throws with Lars Slind, Mark Matthey and Charles Harris.

And, of course, there are the distance runners.

The Panthers were third in the state cross country Mead with Chris Fayant placing fourth. Nate Boyer was 15th, and Bryan Becherini and Jesse Fayant provide depth.

“Our weakness is sprinters,” Mires said. “That’s such a big thing for jumps and relays, but the kids are positive.”

Wildcats enjoy success

Mt. Spokane won its division last year and hosted the championship, a great experience for a new school.

Coach Joe Kostecka hopes to build on that.

There is a chance with state-placing thrower Cameron Stewart. Ben Riddle is also strong in the javelin.

Heading the distance runners is Cameron Schwehr; Tyler Hartanov is leading at 800 meters; and Josh Wilson and Zac Franklin are the top sprinters.

There are also expectations for vaulters Pat McMahan and Joel Sherman.

“It’s been a fun couple of weeks,” Kostecka said. “The attitude is good and the kids are working hard. We expect to be competitive and, if we fill a couple of holes, we could be pretty strong. We just hope to have a chance in May and try to peak at the right time.”

Indians building

North Central has some veteran distance runners and improved turnout to build on.

Erick Olson and Charles Degnan have started strong in the distances.

“Unfortunately,” coach Kelly Walters said, “you can be real strong in the distances (in the GSL) and people can be stronger.”

There are high hopes for high jumpers Pat Hageny and Adam Miley. Walters called Hageny a decathlete type, and the coaches are still deciding which other events he fits best in.

If Jeff Peterson overcomes injuries, NC has a strong hurdler. Combined with John Simpson, a potential strong 400 runner, and sprinter J.C. Dominquez, the Indians have the makings of a strong relay, especially with the good group of sophomores.

“A majority of our sprinters are sophomores,” Walters said. “As a group, they broke our freshman relay records.”

There are a lot of throwers but little experience. The top ones now are Jacob Kochevar and Chris Stewart.

Pirates in for the long run

Rogers is another team with strength in the distance events.

Chris Olinger and Lerrin Hatch are veterans from cross country.

Steve Steinhardt leads the sprinters, and Lucas Anderson made regional in the 400 last year. The top hurdler is Kevin Safran.

“As always, we would like to be competitive, team-wise,” coach Steve Kiesel said. “We could suprise a few people but we want to get as many as we can to district.”

Highlanders in the hunt

Shadle Park lost some big points to graduation but return Demetrius Scott, who ran on both state champion relay teams, and Nick Kimmet and Alex Moon, each of whom have a relay medal.

Joining that trio on the relays are Brian Powell in the 400 and Cody Storms in the 1,600.

Michael Kiter leads the distance runners, and Joe Sullivan heads the hurdlers.

Jared Lee gives Shadle a shot in the pole vault, and the Highlanders have two strong high jumpers in Billy Votava and Jamal Burks-Bodey.

“If we stay healthy and compete well, we’ve got a chance,” Corley said.