Mead Panthers boys track team back in familiar spot

For the Mead boys track team, two years constitutes a drought.

It’s not like Mead fell off the radar, though.

The Panthers took a big step to getting back to the top of the Greater Spokane League Thursday when they handled defending champ Central Valley, 97.5-47.5.

Mead can wrap up its first league title since a streak of six straight was snapped in 2014 next Thursday when the Panthers visit Ferris to conclude regular-season meets.

For the visiting Central Valley girls, it was business as usual. The Bears all but clinched a fifth straight league title, topping Mead 100.33-49.66.

Seniors Briegan Bester and Brielle Crump have known nothing but league titles.

Bester did her job, capturing the 800 meters (2 minutes, 18.73 seconds) and the 1,600 (5:21.37).

“I’ve had a great experience in all my high school track years,” Bester said. “The thing I’ve enjoyed the most is being with my teammates and bonding with them, and being able to go to the big meets and compete against some amazing people.”

Crump finished second in the 100 and 300 hurdles to Mead’s Zoe Conley.

It was a typical day for the deep Bears. Coach Geoff Arte had 49 athletes involved in the meet a week after using 51. Most teams have less than half those numbers for duals.

“It allows us to run fresh and it allows us to keep coming at you like a full court press for a whole game,” Arte said. “We don’t run tired very often.”

Arte pointed out that CV is 32-1 in duals during its current run.

“It’s a testament to this group,” he said. “They’ve been pretty resilient. They’ve done a good job of believing in the process, believing in their coaches and each other. We’re going to keep getting better for the next four weeks, which is the ultimate goal in this sport.”

Mead boys coach John Mires praised a senior group consisting of 26 athletes.

Among the Panthers’ standouts were Joseph Heitman, who won the 100 (10.98) and 300 hurdles (38.78), winner Samson Brown in the 200 (22.72) and Collin Grosse in the shot put (49-3 3/4).

Mires expected his team to challenge for the league title this season.

“When those guys care and give everything they can in practice and the meets, you really can’t lose,” Mires said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Mires saw the Panthers come of age when they captured the title at the Pasco Invite.

“The light came on at Pasco,” Mires said. “They believed we could be GSL champs. Last year we were young and had to rebuild. Getting back to the top makes you feel great.”

Mires listed name after name of key contributors Thursday.

“There were so many standouts when you take it to CV like that,” he said.

Now the Panthers must finish strong at Ferris.

“Ferris will give us a fight,” Mires said.