Sports notebook: Good fortune, good showing help Bears

During conversation at a breakfast restaurant last weekend, Central Valley High School track coach Chuck Bowden said he had a good feeling about the Bears chances in their upcoming meet among the Greater Spokane League’s three unbeaten teams.

With a little good fortune and some big individual marks, his inkling was born out.

CV (7-0) defeated Lewis and Clark (6-2) 74 ½-70 ½ and Mead (6-1) 80-65 to take over undisputed first place with one week of meets remaining.

Victory in the 400 relay, following disqualification of Lewis and Clark, swung the meet the Bears’ way, and key contributions by individual performers did the rest.

Sean Coyle set a school record 4:16.5 at 1,600 meters to turn back a Mead strength, and he placed second in the 3,200. Danny Groby and James Adams had respective 200 and 400 sprint wins, Adams timing 50 seconds in the latter and helping CV to a 3:23.6 1,600 relay triumph.

And CV did enough in the field events, including William Davis‘ 44-1 triple jump win to remain undefeated.

“Elsewhere in the GSL, Eden Lake ran 5:17 for 1,600 meters, although Central Valley’s girls (1-6) lost twice … East Valley’s Case Parker ran 22.2 and 49.2 200 and 400 times, Tim Armstrong timed 14.5 and 39.5 in the 110 and 300 hurdles and the Knights (2-5) ran a 3:26.2 1,600 relay despite losses to Ferris and Mt. Spokane. EV’s girls (4-3) split, beating the Wildcats Lori Bourgeous won the 300 hurdles and Eleaya Schuerch both horizontal jumps … Madeline Fuchs won the 400 (59.6) and 100 hurdles and Brittney Barnes tripled jumped 34-2, University (1-5-1) involved in a rare tie with Gonzaga Prep. Andrew Ditto pole vaulted 13-feet for U-Hi as the Titans boys (2-5) lost to North Central and Gonzaga.

Eagles take lead

Former GSL teams West Valley and Cheney have altered the Great Northern League track picture and are headed toward a title showdown.

The Eagles knocked off GNL title perennial Pullman’s boys and girls 79-66 and 78-71 in Thursday’s meet.

As expected WV did its greatest damage in the distances, Richard Keroack winning both the 800 and 1,600. And Tim Pring won the 100 and 400 sprints and picked up vital points in the 200.

The girls got important hurdles wins by Melissa Mauro, a triple by sprinter-long jumper Bri Almy and double victory by fellow jumper Alyssa Wold.

U-Hi seeded No. 1

The remarkable turn-around season by University’s soccer team concluded with a 2-1 victory Wednesday over Mead earning the Titans top seed in the 4A district playoffs.

They’ll play for a state berth, most likely against Lewis and Clark, Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Joe Albi Stadium.

The Titans (9-4-1 overall, 8-2 in the GSL), finished tied for eighth place in league a year ago.

But late first-half goals at home by Evan Frobe and Billy McElroy after Mead had taken a 1-0 lead, and second-half defense propelled the team into a tie for first place with 3A East Valley.

The regional playoff-bound Knights (10-5, 8-1) completed their season Friday against Central Valley (7-5, 5-4). They had beaten Mead 3-0 a week ago to lock up at least a share of their third straight GSL championship.

CV, meanwhile, clinched at least fifth place by beating Shadle Park 5-1. Kevin Cameron score two goals and assisted on a third.

The Bears play Monday at 5 p.m. at Albi in the first round of district play.

Titans open ground

Thursday’s 5-1 victory over Mead pushed University’s softball team (13-3) into a two-game over the Panthers in the race for second place among GSL 4A teams with four games remaining.

Shelby Bethel pitched the two-hit victory to move the Titans closer to a regional tournament berth where teams play to qualify for state.

Riki Schiermeister had three hits and Ali Warren added two, including her seventh home run of the year.

Central Valley (10-6) backed its Tuesday 6-5 victory over Rogers with a 4-2 win over Mt. Spokane. Mickenzie Alden homered in both games, including for the winning run over the Pirates.

East Valley’s Tiffany Bittner had seven hits in two games, the Knights (5-10) splitting. They lost a 15-14 game to Gonzaga Prep in eight innings preventing them from overtaking Mt. Spokane for second among Class 3A teams. The two teams played each other in a pivotal game Friday.

Third-place West Valley (10-6, 6-4) was at Cheney in a key Great Northern League doubleheader Friday. The Eagles finish the season at league-leader Colville next week.

Baseball crunch time

Three games remain for Spokane Valley GSL baseball teams and two are left for West Valley as they jockey for playoff position.

On Monday, second-place University (10-5 before Friday) completes its two-game series against league-leader Mt. Spokane then finishes with two games against Rogers.

The Titans won 11-1 on Thursday over Ferris to split their set and remain three games ahead of the co-fifth place Saxons and Central Valley. Craig Keeton doubled and tripled in his first varsity game.

The Bears (8-8), coming off a bye week, are playing last-place Lewis and Clark and would secure a 4A playoff berth with a sweep. They finish with once-beaten Mt. Spokane.

West Valley (12-4 overall, 8-2 in the Great Northern League) remained tied for first place heading into Friday’s doubleheader at Cheney. The Eagles finish next Friday at Colville.

Golfers mix it up

Play of the day for Liberty Lake Women’s 18-Hole Club golf was A-B-C-D Mix Up.

When everything was sorted out, Lynn Smith shot 88 to lead A flight, Honey Conlon shot 95 to win B, Raouleen Grimes had 106 in C and Coleen Wisenor 109 in D.

Net winners were Patsy Lynn with 75 in A, Elsa Metting with 75 in B, Jody Cantrell with 79 in C and Myrna Neubauer with 76 in D.

Painted Hills play

Painted Hills Ladies League golfer Jeanne Allemand continues to master the course.

She shot low gross of the day 41 to lead A flight golfers during recent competition. Joyce Jacobs shot 48 in B flight, including a birdie on the 13th hole. Emma Long shot 57 in C and Betty Hennessey 58 in D.

Net winners were Karen Goyins at 38 in A, Judee Fowler with 35 in C and Wilma Capaul with 32 in D.

Capaul had a chip-in as did Eleanor Badinger. Betty Snow also had a birdie.

Trailhead golf results

During weekly medal competition among Trailhead Ladies Club golfers, Marcia Rowley had the lowest score.

Rowley shot 45 in A flight and had a chip-in. Joy Russell shot 49 in B and Penny Jones 59 in C. No-handicap winner was Ro Lisk with 54.

There were ties twice for low net honors. Deana Hauser and Harriet Carbon shared A flight with 29. Sandi Hatcher and Mary Ann Evans each netted 30 in B. Myrlene Haskell had C flight to herself with net 29.