Mt. Spokane boys edge LC in season opener

The race was over before the race was decided when Greater Spokane League cross country began with a taut early-season meet Wednesday at Ferris.

Ferris’ Adam Thorne had put considerable distance between himself and fellow junior standout, Mt. Spokane’s Allan Schroeder, to win in 16 minutes, 26 seconds at 5,000 meters.

The team race, however, hinged on the race for third and fourth places some 40 seconds later. Caleb Deitz, in a mad dash to the finish, outshouldered Lewis and Clark’s Kenji Bierig, which turned out to be the difference in Mt. Spokane’s 27-28 victory over LC in a four-team meet that included East Valley.

“I realized it was my man and I had to take him,” said Deitz of the furious finish. “As long as everyone takes their man … the whole team did their part. Mine was just a little closer.”

Mt. Spokane’s coach and Caleb’s dad, Craig Deitz, was elated that his senior son played the hero.

“It was kind of sweet. I was overwhelmed with gladness for him,” Craig said. “He keeps wanting to be the alpha male in the house. I guess he was doing the alpha male out on the course.”

The competition among three schools was close.

Mt. Spokane nipped Ferris 25-30 and LC edged Ferris 24-31. Each had five runners among the top 15.

Elsewhere, GSL favorite North Central (2-0), headed Saturday to the Bob Firman meet in Boise, had six of the first seven finishers in a sweep of University (1-1) and the host Bears (0-2) at Central Valley. Andy Kimpel won in 16:02 and U-Hi’s Anthony Brown was third. … At Seven Mile, Mead (3-0), led by victor Jordan Baker, beat Gonzaga Prep (2-1), Shadle Park (1-2) and Rogers (0-3). Mead placed five in the top seven.

Girls

Round one between Shadle’s Andrea Nelson and Mead’s Baylee Mires went to Nelson, 19:33 to 20:03 at Seven Mile. Mead (3-0) took team honors, 26-33 over Shadle (1-2), 21-37 over G-Prep (2-1) and 15-50 over Rogers. G-Prep and Shadle tied at 28, but G-Prep won with a higher-placing sixth runner. … The 1-2 finish by freshman Molly Cole and senior Courtney Zalud buoyed Mt. Spokane (3-0) in its 24-32 win over LC (2-1) and easier victories over EV (1-2) and host Ferris (0-3). … Defending league champion CV (2-0) bested NC (1-1) and U-Hi (0-2) at home. U-Hi’s Stevie Gildehaus (19:59) won by 28 seconds.