U-Hi Runners Going For Four
University High’s boys cross country team last year won its third straight State 4A championship.
Anyone for a fourth?
“I think we’ve got a fair shot at it,” said Titan coach Bob Barbero.
Runners from his previous three teams have gone on to compete at colleges as diverse as Washington State, Montana (by way of Oregon) and the U.S. Naval Academy.
But the well certainly is not dry.
Three athletes remain from last year’s state titlist who will help the team challenge any of four other Greater Spokane League schools for state supremacy.
Central Valley and East Valley, with one win between them in league last year, are hopeful for improvement.
The GSL season begins at 4 p.m next Wednesday with U-Hi and CV at Ferris and East Valley hosting three other schools.
Titans have makings for challenge
U-Hi’s three veterans are reason enough the team can challenge defending league champion Mead, state runner-up Mt. Spokane and possibly Shadle Park for GSL and state supremacy.
Senior Brandon Stum is the state’s seventh-best returnee and juniors Andrew Fuchs and Jeremy Redding are among the league’s top 15 returning runners.
If Ryan Lancaster stays healthy and the team builds depth, the Titans will be formidable.
Lancaster was U-Hi’s number two runner last year until injury cost him the bulk of the season.
“He’s behind where he was, but it’s tough to compare because this summer was a lot warmer,” said Barbero.
Building depth is more critical, although sophomore Luke Mott and freshman Ryan Mulvihill show promise.
If the pieces come together, U-Hi will be in the title hunt again.
“We can’t worry about what we can’t control,” said Barbero of his team’s bid for a fourth state title. “We’ll do what we can do and hope we’re there.”
Bears experienced but uncertain
Second-year CV coach Gene Blankenship is uncertain how his team will fare, even though most of the runners are back.
“My honest opinion is were not as strong as last year,” said Blankenship. “The good news is we had 35 boys training consistently during the summer.”
State veteran Nick Erikson leads the team. Two other key returnees are senior Luke Vaughn and sophomore Jason Croskrey.
Sophomore newcomer Caleb Newbill has been a pleasant addition.
“He’s looking really strong, and I think he will push Nick,” said Blankenship. “The biggest problem is he hasn’t run three miles yet.”
Even if the team doesn’t contend, it hasn’t dampened Blankenship’s enthusiasm.
“They’re not the most talented team in league, obviously,” he said. “But these kids are working and I can’t say enough good things about them. What I’m hoping is they’ll see results so they can say summertime was the right thing to do.”
Everyone back for Knights
The good news is that nearly everyone is back and the Knights will improve over last season’s winless GSL debut.
But, said coach Dave McCarty, “I’ve got big troubles. I can’t get younger kids in the program.”
Freshmen and sophomores have been hard to come by which doesn’t bode well for the future, he fears. The present will be more pleasant.
Back from a team that experienced a number of close calls are EV’s top two regional finishers, juniors John Gavin and Jordan Marsh, plus senior veterans James Kann and Ben Hall.
“We should be competitive, but what does that mean in the GSL,” said McCarty. “You could be fourth in league and ranked sixth in the U.S. Last year was frustrating, we were close but no cigar. Hopefully we’ll win a few.”
Young Bullpups seek improvement
Gonzaga Prep must replace five of seven varsity members who ran regionals last year.
But coach Tony Maucione is not as concerned as might be expected.
“It will be hard because we only have two seniors,” Maucione admitted. “But we are much better at this point than last year.”
He’s also excited about the possibilities of his newcomers.
Back from last year is John Ulmen, a senior who ran second for the Bullpups, and junior Brian Davis, who has regional meet experience.
Sophomore Joe Stachecki and junior Brendan O’Melvany are among the most improved runners this fall.