Reardan runners win title

PASCO — The Reardan Indians, benefiting from the separation of Class B and 1A boys cross country teams into two races this year, are a team champion for the first time.

An increased number of participants in the two classifications created the separate meets at Sun Willows Golf Course. The Indians beat Northwest Christian from Lacey 46-57 to win the B championship with fellow District 7 schools Odessa and St. George’s tying for third.

In other races, St. George’s girls, in the 1A/B combined race, and Lakeside’s boys in the 2A race, also finished third.

There were several high placers in the five meets as well, including Pullman’s Pawel Szafruga, whose second-place in the 2A race was the highest by an area runner.

Class 1A/B

When your top three scorers finish third-through-fifth for scoring purposes, it’s usually a good sign.

That’s what Indians runners Ryan Adkins, Brad Serdar and Brian McNeill did. But the Tacoma-area Northwest Christian had the first and second scorers, including race winner Gabe Molinaro, so coach Martin DeWalt wasn’t sure his team would have enough.

It turned out that the Indians had more overall depth, led by his trio.

“The last two weeks, at district and regionals, they ran one-two-three,” DeWalt said. “They kind of got the feel for how it was to dictate a race on their own.”

Adkins said the three have been trading places all year and it was his turn this race to take the lead, with regional champion McNeill running third.

“We all run in a pack,” he said, “trying to motivate each other.”

First-year coach DeWalt said his predecessor told him they could win state this year. Particularly with a new B classification.

“It’s been fabulous having the division and I was just blessed with fabulous runners,” he said.

In the 1A boys race, Newport’s Tony Thelin finished fourth and the Grizzlies were fourth as a team behind Charles Wright HS and its race winner Alex Crabill. Thelin said it was all due to coach Mike Frederick

“We all worked hard and pushed each other,” said Thelin. “I started out as our number three runner so I’m happy. I owe it all to Coach. I couldn’t ask for better.”

Cedar Park Christian’s Jane Larson won the 1A/B girls race and Zillah was the team winner with 58 points. St. George’s scored 148, one point out of second.

“We came in ranked third and I kind of knew we’d have to have a good race (to finish higher),” said coach James Johnson. “Anytime you get a trophy it’s better than not getting one.”

Class 2A

Pullman’s Szafruga was stunned by his performance in the boys race, picking his way through the field to finish 7 seconds behind Ephrata’s Eric Burck.

“It was totally a surprise,” he said. “I never pictured myself here four years ago. This is just incredible.”

Born in Poland, he’s lived in Pullman since age 6. Running was never a serious pursuit until last spring and it paid huge dividends on Saturday.

In the girls race, Colville sophomore Brittney Williams placed fifth behind Grandview standout Brittnee Sanchez, who at 18:33 had the day’s third-fastest time overall.

Like Szafruga, she was surprised.

“I wanted to get under 20 minutes, but I wasn’t quite expecting 19:32,” she said. “It’s my best race so far.”

Former Deer Park runner Katie Campbell, now at Lakeside, ended her career with another top-10 effort, finishing eighth.

Riverside had four individual entrants, but this is the first time in his 25 years as coach, said Bill Kemp, that the Rams failed to have a team participant.

East Valley-Yakima boys and girls won 2A team titles, the girls with 59, the boys with 109 points. Lakeside, with only one senior, none among the top four finishers, scored 139 for third in the boys race. The Eagles girls were sixth.