Mead, Nelson shine

PASCO – Shadle Park sophomore Andrea Nelson won state for the first time Saturday and Mead’s boys repelled the state’s sternest challenge to Greater Spokane League championship superiority, extending the league’s string of successive team titles to 20.

The unflappable Nelson dropped the gauntlet from the get-go, and, not content to simply hold on, increased her lead with every stride to scorch the opposition for a 16-second victory in the girls race at Sun Willows Golf Course.

Mead’s boys returned to the top of the podium for the 13th time, but first in five years, with a 108-112 victory over Gig Harbor.

Girls

Nelson, as has been documented, is not a strategic runner.

She simply forces the pace and faces the consequences.

“I like that better,” she said of her penchant for quick starts. “I like to get control as soon as I can and stay in control. If they want to make their move, they have to OK it with me, I guess.”

Bracing for an apparent showdown with Bellarmine Prep’s Nicole Cochran, Nelson took off up the hill to start the race and dared the pack to follow.

“We thought the Bellarmine girls would go out with her and they did,” said Shadle coach Bob Isitt. “We thought the West Side girls were not used to that and if they go out hard, good, that’s what we want.”

By a mile, Nelson had a 5-second lead. By 2 miles she was ahead by 7 seconds. As she approached 2.5 miles on the 5,000-meter course, Nelson was farther ahead. In the final sprint she buried the field, finishing in 18 minutes, 26 seconds. She broke into a grin before the finish.

“I couldn’t help it,” she said. “I was so happy. I was so excited, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this can’t be happening.’ “

Cochran finished in eighth place, one-half minute behind.

Boys

Second-year Mead Panthers coach Steve Kiesel understood the legacy. Not only was the GSL’s run of state team titles in jeopardy, but he was carrying on tradition as coach at Mead.

He was clearly overcome with emotion when the final scores came out.

“There is a huge tradition to uphold in the GSL,” he said. “And I knew the reality of following in (former coach Pat Tyson’s) footsteps.”

This year’s 4A field was as balanced as it had been in years and Spokane was no sure thing.

Gig Harbor put its first three runners in front of its Panthers counterparts. But Mead ultimately had just enough depth to carry on.

“This has been a fun year,” said Kiesel. “The runners love each other and pick each other up.”

Kelly Lynch finished eighth and Marcus Budig, who had battled injuries, provided a pick-me-up as Mead’s No. 2 finisher.

“He was probably the key today,” said Kiesel. “He and (No. 3 finisher) Jordan Curnutt.”

Another lift was provided by Eric Foss, who stepped into the No. 4 spot, Kiesel said.

The state title was Kiesel’s first as a coach after a long career at Rogers – though he experienced two as a runner in high school.

“This is what you are,” he said of the thrill his team got to experience. “You want guys to be up on the podium because you’re always going to be there forever. Fifteen minutes of agony for a lifetime of glory.”