Defending state champ Ferris runs to win

Central Valley’s top three runners showed their mettle Wednesday in a season-opening Greater Spokane League boys cross country meet against defending state champion Ferris.

But the Saxons hung on for a 26-33 victory during the four-team race at Comstock Park.

The contest pitted two teams expected to be in the thick of things come state-qualifying time. The Bears did their best to meet expectations.

But while Ferris coach Mike Hadway said his team “fell apart” and top returnee Steve Olsen wasn’t at his best, David Hickerson had a breakout effort, winning by 14 seconds in 15:20.1.

The Bears had three of the next four finishers: East Valley transfer Tylor Thatcher placing second ahead of teammate Sean Coyle, with Jayson Taylor taking fifth.

Ferris, however, put all seven of its runners among the top 12 and in front of CV’s next three finishers.

“We looked pretty good,” said CV first-year head coach James Berry. “They beat us on the back end. The first mile was really fast and some of my runners fell off and didn’t get back in it.”

The Saxons (3-0), Bears (2-1), University (1-2) and Shadle Park (0-3) finished in that order.

Among girls, Shadle freshman Andrea Nelson had a sensational debut, winning by 30 seconds in a superb 18:40.9. U-Hi (3-0) edged CV (2-1) 25-30 to win the meet. Shadle (1-2) and Ferris (0-3) finished next.

Also in the GSL, at Mead, the host Panthers boys (3-0) finished first through fifth, paced by Dylan Hatcher to sweep Gonzaga Prep (2-1), East Valley (1-2) and Rogers (0-3). Nikki Codd won the girls race for Mead (3-0) in a victory over G-Prep (2-1), EV (1-2) and Rogers (0-3). … At Audubon Park, North Central’s boys (2-0), behind sophomore winner Leon Dean, beat Lewis and Clark (1-1) and Mt. Spokane (0-2). In a close girls match, defending champion Mt. Spokane edged NC and LC, with Jessica Klier and Courtney Zalud finishing 1-2. LC edged NC.