Seven area teams part of state competitions

As the eastern regional 3A boys high school cross country race wound down on Saturday, a gaggle of West Valley Eagles descended in haste upon the finish line.

Not that the Eagles weren’t likely to qualify for state, but the closing rush surprised even their coach, Jim McLachlan.

“I’ve probably had teams more talented than this,” McLachlan said, “but I don’t know if I’ve ever had a group run as well as this one did.”

Even more amazing is the fact that of the seven Eagles, four are sophomores and one is a freshman.

Only two team members, senior Marc Smith and sophomore Josh Gardner, were on varsity last year.

Sophomore Richard Keroack has emerged as WV’s No. 1. He ran 16 minutes, 4 second at Deer Park Golf Course to place seventh overall. Senior Garrett Hanson, was eighth.

“Garrett ran great,” said McLachlan. “He’s just amazing.”

The two returnees finished among the top 13 and freshman Justin Degenhardt capped scoring in 20th place. Just 53 seconds separated WV’s magnificent seven, including sophomores Joey Hartmeier and Alex Hanson.

“They did what we asked them to do,” said McLachlan, “run patient and be there at the end.”

The youthful Eagles are just part of a large Valley presence this weekend at the State championships on Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

A total of seven teams – Central Valley’s 4A girls, two from East Valley in 3A and Freeman in 1A and surprising Valley Christian boys in Class B join WV – and smattering of individuals will compete on Saturday.

Youth is a common denominator for virtually all concerned.

•Central Valley received bad news before the regional meet. Freshman Breanna Barsten, who ran second or third for the team much of this year, tore a muscle away from her hip bone and her season is ended.

But it didn’t deter them. CV finished third in the 4A race to return to state for the first time since 2002.

Coincidentally that was the last time senior Anna Layman, who placed 13th as a freshman, competed.

“It’s really exciting,” said coach Dennis McGuire, “because we ran without Breanna. I didn’t know what to think, but the other girls ran lights out.”

Layman finished third in regional following a two-year injury absence. Sophomore Melinda Miller, freshmen Tris Kline and Ari Rios placed between 25th and 28th in the 104-runner meet. Another freshman, Eden Lake, capped scoring.

•When East Valley last sent both boys and girls teams to state, in 1998, the girls finished second, the boys fourth.

East Valley boys were third in last year’s 3A meet and rode the second-place finish of Nick Atwood and sixth by junior Tyler Thatcher to a return trip.

Thatcher is one of three siblings at state on Saturday. Brother Andrew, a senior, is the boys team No. 3 runner and freshman sister Elise, ran fifth for the girls state qualifiers.

Coach Dave McCarty was pretty sure his team would get the third team berth to state after comparing earlier results, although he said Ellensburg was an unknown. EV finished 77 points ahead of the Bulldogs.

Atwood, lost for just the second time this year, getting outkicked 15:25 to 15:32 by Selah’s Gary Lorance, who was ninth in state last year.

“It was good for Nick to get a race,” said McCarty. “I don’t think he’s too disappointed, those were not bad times. We’ve got one more week to get him back.”

After a five-year run of battling for state titles, EV’s girls team has spent seven seasons getting back. Like Central Valley and West Valley, youth is a reason.

Jo E. Mayer, continues to impress in her senior season. She was fourth, timing 19:06. Behind her, the Knights include three freshmen and a sophomore. Frosh Lauren Bergam‘s 19:53 in 14th place was pivotal.

“Freshmen really helped us,” said coach Nick Lazanis, who was happy with EV’s second place behind West Valley (Yakima).

But he said he thinks there’s more left in his team.

“I think we can get in the top four at state,” said Lazanis. “I really do.”

•Freeman finished second among 1A boys and 1A/B girls teams to make their annual trips to state. The Scotties had six runners in the top 15, Patrick Lewis, Greg Emtman and Pete Olmsted finishing seventh-through-ninth. The girls were led by juniors Kate Tanner and Maeve Sayres.

•Freshmen Jeff Pope and Tyler Stewart lifted Valley Christian to its third boys team state meet, first since 2001. Pope finished sixth and Stewart ninth. Other three scorers placed between 22nd and 26th to place third behind state title challengers St. George’s and Reardan. Junior Erica Hattamer, a state placer at 400 meters in track, placed eighth to qualify for state in cross country.

Titans take the fourth

University’s youthful volleyball team had its ups and downs this year. The Titans were up when it mattered most.

Friday night in Kennewick the Titans play in their fourth straight regional tournament. Three teams from that eight-team double-elimination tournament qualify for state Nov. 11 in Everett.

U-Hi was part of a six-team jumble of GSL teams that had postseason aspirations behind Mead and Lewis and Clark. Early season losses to Gonzaga Prep and Central Valley placed those hopes in jeopardy.

But the Titans knocked off Mt. Spokane in the pivotal next-to-last match of the season that secured a 4A District playoff spot.

After losing to Shadle Park 25-23, 25-22, 25-20 and facing tourney elimination, the Titans bounced back to oust Mt. Spokane in four tension-filled games, 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 25-23 and eliminated the Bullpups 25-19, 25-20, 25-12 to play another week.

Kara Crisp, the setter for all four regional qualifying teams, had 89 assists in the three matches and was among the blocks leaders. Ashlee Lupfer had 36 kills in the three matches. Ashlee Valkenaar and Kasey Jurich, next year’s team leaders, were among digs leaders for U-Hi.

East Valley will play Saturday in Selah during the six-team 3A regional that qualifies three teams for state.

The Knights open against West Valley (Yakima) in an 11 a.m. loser-out match. Winner plays Selah and has two chances for a state berth.

Initial information had indicated that the GSL would have three teams to regionals, but that proved incorrect.

After EV lost to North Central for top state seed, the Knights defeated West Valley 25-22, 25-15 23-25, 25-18 in a winner to regional, loser out match for the league.

Stephanie Bellefeuille had 40 assists and Rachel Bonertz 16 kills for the winners.