Cloke’s run to the forefront aids in Colville’s success

Ryan Cloke is a vital part of a Colville threesome that will determine the Indians’ postseason cross country future.

Last year the Indians won the Great Northern League, but finished behind Lakeside-Nine Mile Falls in district and state. Lakeside finished third at the State 2A meet, two spots ahead of Colville.

Both teams return nearly their entire lineups.

“We were happy with fifth,” said Cloke, “but with six runners back, we decided we wanted to be state champions.”

So he, Jake Wilson and Justin Rose committed to running 500 miles apiece over the summer. They made good on their pact. The rest of the team did its part, logging anywhere between 250 to 400 miles.

The Indians repeated as league champs, including a season-opening 25-30 victory over Lakeside.

Colville is ranked first and Lakeside third among State 2A teams. Earlier this year at the SunFair Invitational, Colville defeated No. 2 East Valley-Yakima, the defending state champ.

“Lakeside is probably as tough an opponent as anybody (in state),” said Indians coach Dean Fischer.

The two teams race again Friday in district at Deer Park.

If there is a difference in Colville between last year and this, it’s Cloke. Last year he was Colville’s third runner, behind Rose and Wilson.

The last two races this year he’s been Colville’s No. 1, ahead of Rose, who was the sophomore race winner at the Highlander Invitational earlier this fall.

“He’s a senior and is really focused,” said Fischer. “He’s always been very serious, this year just more so.”

Cloke is the son of Northport educator Randy Cloke, the former North Central wrestling coach.

Wrestling, Ryan said, is “deep in my blood.”

He moved to Colville last year from Kettle Falls and couldn’t wrestle because of the transfer, but was eligible to run because Kettle Falls had no cross country team.

He began to enjoy distance running and last spring missed by one place of medaling in the State 2A track 3,200.

“I didn’t want to be a spot from placing in state cross country,” he said. “That was my (summer) motivation.”