Giese leads CV cross country past U-Hi
Central Valley’s Logan Giese remembers his eye-opening debut as a freshman against rival University.
“My first varsity race we got murdered,” he said.
Now a senior, he’s at the forefront of a program with prospects for a state trophy.
On Wednesday, the red-haired Giese timed 16 minutes, 23 seconds to win individually and brought four CV (5-1) teammates with him separated by a mere 20 seconds in a convincing 19-29 triumph at Liberty Lake County Park.
Danny Brunner of the Titans (4-2) led early on the taxing course.
Giese overtook him to win by 6 seconds. Then four Bears followed.
“That’s a big win,” Giese said. “We hadn’t beaten them for five years.”
CV’s girls (5-1) escaped short-handed U-Hi (3-3) 27-30. The Titans were without injured No. 1 runner Courtney Sherick and still placed four runners behind Bears Brielle Crump and Alexandria Moore.
In other GSL meets: The Gonzaga Prep girls (3-3) topped previously undefeated Lewis and Clark (5-1) 25-30, with five runners placing in succession behind LC’s Gracie Ledwith and Maya Pardue. The Tigers boys (4-2) tuned for next week’s 4A showdown against the Bears with a 19-39 win over Gonzaga Prep (2-4) at Finch Arboretum. LC’s Sumner Goodwin won by a minute. … In the Battle for the Claw at Siemers Farm, Mead (3-3) edged Mt. Spokane (4-4) 27-28. Mt. Spokane sophomore John Dressel led from the gun but was overhauled by Mead’s Andrew Gardner in the last 200 meters. Both beat Shadle Park (1-5). The Mt. Spokane girls (6-2), behind Makenna Endebrock, topped both Mead (2-4) and Shadle Park (4-2). … North Central (8-0) is near the GSL boys title following wins over Ferris (1-5) and Rogers (0-6). The Indians had the first five finishers, led by Keith Williams’ 15:30 time at Audubon Park. NC’s girls (2-6) also swept the Saxons (1-5) and Pirates (0-6), with Katie Knight winning by nearly 2 minutes.
Great Northern League
An era is ending as East Valley’s Dave McCarty and West Valley’s Bob Barbero coached against each other for the last time.
McCarty’s Knights defeated Barbero’s Eagles 23-34 and each will close 38-year coaching careers at season’s end.
Barbero won four straight state titles between 1996 and 1999.
The Knights (3-2) had three of the first four finishers, led by individual victor Scott Kopcynski over the Eagles’ (2-2) Skylar Ovnicek.
In girls competition, EV (3-2) was victorious over WV (1-3) 21-39. EV’s Brittany Aguina beat WV’s McCall Skay by 21 seconds. … At Beachview Park in Clarkston, Cheney’s boys and girls both won. The Blackhawks boys (3-1) swept the first five places, with Nick Steele winning in 16:32.2. Sanne Holland won by nearly 27 seconds as the girls (3-1) won 22-37. Clarkston’s teams are both 0-5.