GSL Preview Cross Country
GIRLS OUTLOOK
The league championship race should be between Central Valley, which finished fifth at state last year, and Mead.
“We’ve got everybody back and I think they’re ready to roll,” said CV coach Dennis McGuire. “We’re deep again. I didn’t think we’d be this deep. I’m looking forward to a really good year.”
It’s a veteran league. CV returns five, Mead four, and Lewis and Clark, University and Gonzaga Prep the bulk of their teams, although injuries are a factor for LC.
“Right now, I’m looking at it and we’ve got to get past CV and Mead,” said LC coach Mark Vandine.
Mt. Spokane is again the 3A team to beat with state top-20 finishers Courtney Zalud and Sarah Craig. Depth could be improved.
“For us, we’ve never before had 10 girls good enough to compete,” said Mt. Spokane coach Sean Linder.
NC and East Valley have main runners back and Shadle Park has its best lineup in a while.
“We’re looking pretty good,” said Shadle coach Bob Isitt. “We will see how we perform when the gun goes off.”
Still, it’s an uphill battle for state. Only two 4A teams plus 11 individuals qualify for regionals and 3A schools must contend with veteran teams from West Valley-Yakima and Hanford.
“We’ll have teams fighting for state not get to regionals,” said Mead’s Robertson of the 4A plight. “As far as integrity goes, it’s at the bottom of the barrel in my book. What’s cool about cross country is we can do things unlike a basketball tournament. Throw (all the teams) together and let the cream rise to the top. Everyone’s welcome.”
Top returners
Besides Nelson and Mire and the Mt. Spokane girls, others to watch are CV’s Eden Lake and Madi Barnes, Mead’s Sarah Stenerson, University’s Stevie Gildehaus, G-Prep’s Alicia Doohan, Ferris’ Victoria Karschney, NC’s Rachel Ballard and EV’s Lauren Bergam. Freshmen always factor. Molly Cole, sister of top former runner Megan O’Reilly, was Mt. Spokane’s top finisher in Saturday’s meet.
BOYS OUTLOOK
NC’s Indians, ranked No. 1 in the country, bring back five members of last year’s state championship team. Jeff Howard beat Andrew Kimpel by some 40 seconds in a summer team camp race. Leon Dean, Alex Avila and Andrew Wordell all return.
Kimpel estimates from team camp times that with NC’s added depth, “We would have beaten (last year’s team) 21-34.”
“We’re deeper than we were last year, plus the top three are a year older,” said Indians coach Jon Knight. “Last year we had injury issues and we’re not plagued with that. We’re hitting on all cylinders right now.”
The Indians will be challenged in the league by Mead and LC. Mt. Spokane, fifth in 3A state last year, returns all but two runners.
“Our top seven includes two seniors, a junior, three sophomores and a freshman,” said Mt. Spokane coach Craig Deitz. “To me, that’s a baby team and you always worry about their durability.”
In 4A, Mead doesn’t have a true front-runner, but with a veteran pack coach Steve Kiesel is hoping that one or more emerges.
“They worked harder than any group I’ve had over the summer, and liked the feeling on the podium hoisting the state trophy,” Kiesel said.
LC’s top state finisher, Derek Alcorn, moved to Utah. But under second-year coach Michael Lee – who ran for a Mead state champion in 1994 – the Tigers will contend.
“Last year we narrowly missed sending the whole team and got a glimpse of what we can do,” Lee said. “We’re excited and have big goals.”
Top returners
Besides Thorne, Kimpel and the NC pack, others to watch are Allan Schroeder, Mt. Spokane; Ben Johnston, NC; Chris Ennis and Jeff Tremaine, LC; Jordan Curnutt, Jordan Baker, Steven Kutsch and Eric Foss, Mead; Anthony Brown, University; Tate Kelly, G-Prep; and Kyle Staples, CV.