Quick hits
For the 13th consecutive year, the Lilac Bloomsday Association is providing airline tickets for the fastest area runners to this Saturday’s Foot Locker West Regional Cross Country Championships at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif.
More than 60 local distance athletes will compete in the 14 division races. Bloomsday is picking up the flight tab for more than 30.
“Bloomsday is pleased to be able to help these outstanding young athletes,” said association president Al Odenthal.
Races begin at 7:05 a.m. The top eight boys and girls finishers in the two seeded races will advance to nationals, Dec. 10 in San Diego.
Mt. Spokane state champion and record-setting Megan O’Reilly is ranked second among girls. Anna Layman, Central Valley, and Becky Mackelprang, Ferris, are also in the seeded race.
East Valley’s Nick Atwood and Tyler Thatcher, Lewis and Clark’s Ryan Zentz, and Mt. Spokane’s Mike Hartanov and Justin Farris will compete in the boys seeded race.
Among Bloomsday-sponsored runners are Courtney Zalud, Mt. Spokane; Eleanor Siler, LC; Ryan Torpie, Mead; Jo E. Mayer, EV; Theresa Hailey, Gonzaga Prep; Mary Graesser, North Central; Larsen Agee, West Valley; Rachel Ballard, NC; Amy Pomante, Mt. Spokane; Karen Owens, University; Cami Nelson, Shadle Park; Brittney Williams, Colville; Jessica Klier, Mt. Spokane; and Stephanie Dye, Riverside.
Sponsored boys are Sean Coyle, CV; Jake Sanders, NC, James Clark, NC; Richard Keroack, WV; Ryan Cloke, Colville; Dan Renz, Shadle; Garrett Hanson, WV; Bobby Batch, LC; Adam Tyler, NC; Steve McConnell, Rogers; David Jacobs, Medical Lake; and Thomas Gall, Shadle.
Ferris’ and Mead’s boys teams, meanwhile, are in Portland for the Nike Team Nationals sponsored by Foot Locker. The Panthers finished third and Saxons 13th in last year’s inaugural at Portland Meadows.
They are among 20 boys and 20 girls teams from eight regions throughout the country vying for national team titles. Top two West Regional individual placers in each will qualify for the Foot Locker Nationals. The boys race is at 10 a.m.
Alaska joins Deer Park Invite
Douglas High from Juneau, Alaska, will participate in this weekend’s 64-team Deer Park Invitational wrestling tournament.
Deer Park’s tourney traditionally opens the season and is the first test for area wrestlers. The 364-match event begins at 9 a.m. Saturday and will last approximately 11 hours. Douglas will compete against Riverside on Friday in a dual match before joining the event.
Super semifinals
When Pullman pounded Connell and Archbishop Murphy edged Cashmere in the State 2A playoffs last week, it marked the first time in the classification’s history four undefeated teams met in the semifinals.
According to state football historian Don Davison, having a final four of undefeated teams is unusual, but not unprecedented. It has occurred four times in the 1A ranks.
“If you are headed over the mountains to watch the Gridiron Classic, the WIAA would like to ask a favor: Bring along a non-perishable food item.
The WIAA is teaming with Northwest Harvest for a holiday food drive at the State football championships. Bins will be placed throughout the Tacoma Dome for the items, which will be distributed to the needy throughout the state.