Prep Cross Country
Region IV
Saturday at Richland’s Carmichael Playfield
3A Girls, 11 a.m.
Returning champion: Eastmont
Outlook: Eastmont, with the top two returning regional finishers, and Hanford are again the favorites with the two West Valley’s, Yakima and Spokane, in pursuit.
Top Individuals: Kelly Dobbins and Kristina Owen of Eastmont. WV-Spokane freshman Molly Cole is one to watch.
At Stake: Three team and 15 individual berths to state in Pasco, Nov. 4.
4A Girls, 11:45 a.m.
Returning champion: Eisenhower
Outlook: The Cadets, top-ranked in state, return virtually their entire lineup and are clear favorites. After that it’s anybody’s guess with three state-ranked GSL teams, champion North Central, runner-up University and Shadle Park among six Spokane schools, Richland and Wenatchee in the hunt.
Top Individuals: East Valley twins Melanie and Melissa Frostad are the top returnees. Laura Hodgson of NC, Jamie Geissler of Mead and Gonzaga Prep’s Adrienne Isgrigg are in the hunt along with Richland’s Brandi McCoy and Davis’s Meredith Crane.
At Stake: Four team and 20 individual berths to state.
3A Boys, 12:30 p.m.
Returning champion: Eastmont
Outlook: Eastmont and Selah are favored, last year’s fourth through sixth-place regional finishers Colville and the West Valleys, Yakima and Spokane, are the challengers.
Top Individuals: Defending champion Mike Heidt of Selah and Cory Rebmann of Colville will battle again. Other locals to watch are Colville’s Michael Greenman, Chad Portwood of Cheney and WV-Spokane sophomore Chauncey Peak.
At Stake: Two team and 10 individual berths to state.
4A Boys, 1:15 p.m.
Returning champion: Mead
Outlook: Eight of the top 10 ranked state teams are from the eastern regional. Mt. Spokane, Ferris, Mead and University in that order are first-through-fourth and expected to finish that way in one manner of shape or form in the first of two weekends of GSL war.
Top Individuals: Defending regional and state champion Michael Kiter from Shadle Park, Chris Fayant from Mead, Andrew Ice from Ferris, Cameron Schwehr from Ferris, Richie Nelson from Shadle and Brandon Stum from University are the top regional returnees, placing in that order last year. Chris’s brother Jesse Fayant among others helps make for a fast field.
At Stake: Four team and 20 individual berths to state.
District 7-9
Today at Hangman Valley Golf Course
A/B Girls, 11:30 a.m.
Returning champion: St. George’s
Outlook: The Dragons are also defending state champions who will be chased by Northwest Christian and Valley Christian.
Top Individuals: Defending champion Laura Halverson of Freeman is seeking her fourth straight state trip and third state title. Former state champ Samantha Clarke and Bailey Robinson lead St. George’s veteran team. Others to watch are Ashley Hadway of Northwest Christian and Tina Terry from Valley Christian, Amelie Mabbutt of Colfax and Melody Anderson of St. John/Endicott.
At Stake: Two team and 10 individual berths to state.
2A Girls, 12:15 p.m.
Returning champion: Riverside
Outlook: The Rams are once again favored, even though they have a young team. Lakeside and Pullman are other hopefuls.
Top Individuals: Katie Prichard of Riverside, a three-event state track champion, is favored over Newport’s Lauren White, Katie Blackwell of Lakeside and Lily Lee of Pullman.
At Stake: Two team and 10 individual berths to state.
A/B Boys, 1 p.m.
Returning champion: Freeman
Outlook: The Scotties are top-ranked in state and odds-on favorites over St. George’s, Northwest Christian, Valley Christian and Pomeroy.
Top Individuals: Reid Carrell leads the deep Scotties to be challenged by Wellpinit’s William Smallwood. Cooper Golden and Pat Thomas lead the Dragons.
At Stake: Four team and 20 individual berths to state.
2A Boys 1:45 p.m.
Returning champion: Riverside
Outlook: A taut three-team battle is in the offing among league champion Lakeside, Pullman and the Rams.
Top Individuals: Emergent Noah Hassler of Riverside and teammate Jamison Kaluza provide a tough 1-2 punch. Ben Bailey and Andy Prentice lead Lakeside, Brett Udy leads Pullman.
At Stake: Three team and 15 individual berths to state.