Central Valley girls cross country defeats Mead

Greater Spokane League cross country reached the mid-point of its season and Central Valley’s girls took a major step toward winning the league title.

The Bears (5-0) edged Mead 26-29 on Wednesday to turn back a major challenger for the GSL title. Next up is once-beaten Lewis and Clark at home on Wednesday.

The Bears had three freshmen and a first-year sophomore in the lineup who have forced runners from last year’s state sixth-place finishing team to junior varsity. It has created a happy dilemma for coach Dennis McGuire.

“Our awesome depth did it,” said McGuire of the win. “It’s a good group. I feel good about that.”

CV freshman Madi Barnes had a huge race, finishing second, 19:49 to 19:59 to Panthers freshman standout Baylee Mires.

Normal No. 1 runner Eden Lake finished fifth despite illness, Breanna Barsten was sixth, and freshmen Josie Warner and Kimberley Thatcher were eighth and 10th.

“This is an exciting and fun team,” said McGuire.

CV’s boys finished second in the league showdown with North Central and Mead.

Jayson Taylor and Bryce Aguilar placed fourth and fifth in the taut race.

University and East Valley teams suffered setbacks last week. The Titan girls are 2-2, boys 1-3 and the Knights boys and girls are both winless.

During last week’s meets U-Hi’s Brian Borden and Michael Owens placed sixth and ninth for a team depleted by disciplinary actions. McCall Minarik was fifth for the girls.

EV junior Tyler Sullivan placed fourth in his race, while Lauren Bergam took third, Lori Bourgeous sixth and Devon Borja eighth in the girls race at Shadle Park.

Knights lose QB

East Valley suffered a bad break and a bad loss as a result Thursday in GSL football.

Quarterback Lonnie Quirk pulled up injured on a run in the first quarter of the 40-6 loss to Mead, and his absence was felt.

Quirk had passed for 315 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 41 yards and another TD in EV’s first three games.

Case Parker rushed for 132 yards with gains of 38 and 24 during the game and scored the Knights (2-2) touchdown.

Next week the Knights play at Central Valley, a team that put itself into the 4A playoff hunt with last week’s 17-7 win over Gonzaga Prep. The Bears played NC on Friday.

Unbeaten University was at Gonzaga Prep Friday in its biggest game to date.

In the Great Northern League, West Valley (1-2) traveled to Pullman for a hugely important league opener. And in the Northeast A League, Freeman (2-1) hosted Colfax in a game for second place outright.

Volleyball teams contend

Central Valley (3-1) won twice and University (2-2) beat Gonzaga Prep to open ground in their bid for top-six finishes and post-season GSL volleyball berths.

The Bears beat both North Central and Rogers setting up Tuesday’s showdown between district rivals at U-Hi.

CV’s victory over NC took five games and was decided 15-13 in game five. Setter Shannon Giusti had 67 assists in two wins.

University’s win also took five games with the Titans winning 15-12 in the finale. Eileen Chatfield had 16 kills and led in service aces and blocks. Kasey Jurich dug up 23 balls on defense.

East Valley, meanwhile, took an unbeaten record into Friday night’s match at defending state champion Mead.

And West Valley (4-0) leads the Great Northern League as one of three unbeaten teams. The Eagles beat Medical Lake and Deer Park most recently.

Bears lead softball

When University suffered its first slowpitch softball loss in two seasons, the way was opened for Central Valley to assume undisputed first place.

The Bears (5-0) became the last Greater Spokane League unbeaten, a game ahead of the Titans and Lewis and Clark.

Included was an 11-9 win over the Tigers, the team rallying for four runs in the sixth inning and hanging on the for the win. Brooke Ford has hit safely in all five wins, including with four base hits each against the Tigers and Rogers.

LC beat University 17-14 with a 13-run fourth inning. It took three pitchers to try and stem the carnage in an inning that included six walks and three errors.

The two Valley teams meet Tuesday at U-Hi.

East Valley is still seeking its first victory.

Liberty Lake Cup

Liberty Lake Ladies Nine-Holers golf club conducted their Liberty Lake Cup tournament the past two weeks.

Audrey Vanos won first flight with low gross 114, and Sadie Rueckert netted 80.

Second flight was won by Kathy Camyn at 118, while Darlene Reilly and Ethel Rankin tied for net at 76.

Third flight winners were Bette Devine with low gross 129 and Sandy Maxwell with net 84.

There were four chip-ins, including two by Devine and singles by Vanos and Emma Long.

Trailhead’s weekly meet

Marcia Rowley shot low gross 46 to lead the way during weekly golf gathering by the Trailhead Ladies Club.

Rowley won A flight, while Joy Russell shot 54 in B and Peg Nadvornick shot 66 in C.

Net winners were Sandi Hatcher with 29 in A flight and Patty Haskins with 28 in B. There was a tie between Leta Lutz and Myrlene Haskell, who had a chip-in, at 33 in C.

Back side eclectic

Liberty Lake Women’s 18-Hole Golf Club was forced to the back nine due to greens work and played it twice, players counting the best score from each hole.

Patsy Lynn shot 43 during the eclectic game for low gross score of the day.

Net leaders were Billie Etter with 35 and Kathy Brown with 38 in A flight, Carol Schultz with 33 in B and Marie Nelson with 38 in C.