NC makes big strides

On the face of it, North Central’s cross country victory over Mead in a Greater Spokane League meet Wednesday between unbeaten boys teams was impressive both in the disparity of score and apparent ease of accomplishment.

Easy it wasn’t, insisted four senior veterans, whose 1-2-3 and seventh-place finishes helped produce a 17-41 triumph that kept NC on track for a second straight league title.

“We came in planning to give it everything we had,” said Jeff Howard, who chased teammate Andy Kimpel to the finish line in two of the fastest times run on their home course of Audubon Park.

“The score indicates we won by a lot,” added Leon Dean, NC’s third-place finisher. “But we all had to run our best races out there.”

They, along with junior Ben Johnston, who took fourth, had times some 13 seconds faster than the first Panthers finisher.

After hanging in a pack for the first loop of Audubon’s 3-mile course, the quartet took command during the second mile, leaving Mead challengers Jordan Baker and Jordan Curnutt behind.

Such depth of talent is reminiscent of Panthers teams in 1992 and ’93 that scored an unheard of 20 and 31 points at state, including a 1-2-3 finish the second year.

“Believe me, I remember them,” NC coach Jon Knight said. “They went one-through-seven on us on this course. If something like that could happen it would be pretty cool.”

Knight said he was at a loss for words following the victory.

“We have a huge amount of respect for Mead,” Knight said. “It may sound like a pat answer, but – I’m trying to put it into words – maybe it is just our turn this year. The kids are running well, people are staying pretty healthy and Alex Avila is making his way back up there.”

Most of the Indians are back from a team that scored 36 points last season in winning a second straight State 3A title. If times were an indication at Audubon, the pack is getting tighter.

Kimpel and Howard have run together in several races this year. They finished in 15:19.6 and 15:20, respectively, just behind the second-fastest time in course history. The best is 15:12 by Ferris’ David Hickerson in 2006.

Dean was not far behind, clocking 15:29.8, and varsity newcomer Johnston came through the chute in 15:36.

“His freshman year he did baseball, but he ran with me and I said he was pretty good and should run cross country,” Dean said of Johnston.

Living not far from Kimpel, last year’s State 3A runner-up said he worked Johnston hard. Results bore fruit last track season and have carried over into this year.

Senior Avila said he has been bothered with sports-induced asthma and nagging injuries, but he also broke 16 minutes while placing seventh. He said he’s getting ready to challenge his teammates up front.

“I started to feel better two weeks ago and started to get my training back up,” he said.

The seniors’ goal is to continue closing their timing gap for postseason, which will include another run for a state title and maybe national honors thereafter for a team ranked at the top in the country.

“This is just a great group of guys and they’ve worked so hard for four years,” Knight said. “They’re a very humble group and very gifted. With those guys we’re pretty tough to beat.”

The victories moved the Indians (7-0) into undisputed first place. Mead and Mt. Spokane (both 7-1) share second. Both NC and the Panthers beat Lewis and Clark (5-3). Rogers (0-8) had an incomplete team.

Elsewhere, at Green Bluff, host Mt. Spokane topped Shadle Park (2-6) 19-37 and Central Valley (1-6) 26-29. Ferris (4-4) also beat Shadle 19-41 and CV 25-31, while CV beat Shadle 20-43. Mt. Spokane’s Allan Schroeder set a course record at Siemers Farm, clocking 15:52 to upset Ferris’ Adam Thorne. … At Liberty Lake County Park, University (5-3) swept past Gonzaga Prep (4-3) 23-32 and East Valley (0-7) 15-48. G-Prep also beat EV. Anthony Brown ran 15:52 and beat G-Prep’s Tate Kelly by 23 seconds.

Girls

Mead (8-0) moved closer to the GSL championship with a 26-30 win over Lewis and Clark (6-2). The 1-2 punch of Baylee Mires, who timed 19:14.1 for victory, and Sara Stenersen (19:27) offset the 2-3-4 finish by LC runners Allison Keenan, Kelly Talkington and Hannah Allen. Keenan (19:31.5) and Allen (19:37.2) are freshmen. Both teams topped host North Central and Rogers had an incomplete team. … Mead has one final test, Wednesday at Central Valley (6-1). At Siemers Farm, the defending champion Bears upended host Mt. Spokane (6-2) 26-32 and also Shadle Park (4-4) and Ferris (1-7) to thrust themselves into the title picture. Shadle’s Andrea Nelson ran 18:59 and beat Mt. Spokane’s Courtney Zalud and Molly Cole. Packed-up CV had the next three finishers and six of eight total to claim victories. … University (4-4) beat East Valley (3-4) 27-29 and Gonzaga Prep (3-4) 25-31 to even its record. Improving EV also beat G-Prep 25-31 as Lauren Bergam ran her fastest time at Liberty Lake Park, winning over state veteran Stevie Gildehaus from U-Hi, 19:32 to 19:46. Next week is the final set of GSL league matches.