Schwehr Upholds Tradition For Gsl

The fish are getting bigger in the distance running lake, but the Greater Spokane League still has the trophies.

Cameron Schwehr of Mt. Spokane became the ninth straight GSL runner to win the 1,600 meters at the state track meet Friday night at Lincoln Bowl, and the sophomore promptly used the analogy of last year’s winner, after thanking God.

“I think it’s amazing,” Schwehr said. “It’s like Ian Johnson of University said, `If you keep fish in a fish bowl, they don’t get any bigger. You put them in a lake and they’ll grow.’ The GSL is like a big lake, it breeds bigger fish. It’s the competition.”

Schwehr took the lead from Shadle Park’s Michael Kiter on the back stretch, felt a runner on his shoulder rounding into the home stretch, and pulled away to win in 4 minutes, 12.55 seconds.

“On the last lap, a guy came up on me and I said he’s not going to pass me,” Schwehr said. “Coach (Craig) Dietz said once you take the lead, don’t look back.”

But there’s another twist to the story, besides the GSL winning 12 of the last 13 mile races. The runner who caught Schwehr was Casey Kellogg of Snohomish.

Unlike past years, when GSL runners often turned in three- or four-runner sweeps, Kellogg beat Branden Fuller of Lincoln for second in a same-time finish of 4:13.38. Kiter was fourth with University’s Max Schmidt, who had a state-best 4:12.1 at regionals last week, fifth. They ran 4:13.85 and 4:14.91, respectively.

“We all ran our butts off and Cameron won,” said Schmidt, who has accepted an appointment to the Naval Academy. “With 300 meters to go, the GSL was 1-2-3. Humility 101 - there were guys here we’ve never seen before who came on us.”

Kiter, a junior, led from the beginning, but there was no wind on the cool evening.

“It was fast, perfect conditions,” Kiter said. “It was a great race; unbelievably fast.”

Junior Andrew Ice of Ferris was also in the hunt until the final 200 meters, finishing seventh in 4:15.77. “The first lap was a little scary; we came through in 59.6,” said Schwehr, who was tucked behind Kiter. “After that, I said I’m not moving from my spot.”

Kiter, Schmidt and Ice are in the 3,200 today. The GSL has won the last eight in that race and 10 of 11.

David Gurry of Blanchet was a double distance winner in 1991.

This sidebar appeared with the story: MILE CITY 1,600 champions

The past 13 big-school 1,600-meter state champions with name, school and time:

2000 - Cameron Schwehr, Mt. Spokane, 4:12.55

1999 - Ian Johnson, University, 4:15.32

1998 - Tom Becker, Mt. Spokane, 4:18.22

1997 - Isaac Hawkins, Ferris, 4:07.43

1996 - Isaac Hawkins, Ferris, 4:13.25.

1995 - Skiy DeTray, Mead, 4:08.51

1994 - Greg James, Mead, 4:10.06

1993 - Matt Davis, Mead, 4:10.77

1992 - Matt Davis, Mead, 4:15.42

1991 - David Gurry, Blanchet, 4:13.04

1990 - Nathan Davis, Mead, 4:10.69

1989 - Chris Lewis, Mead, 4:08.31

1988 - Chris Lewis, Mead, 4:09.58