Injury slows Shorewood standout

Published 9:38 am Friday, February 22, 2008

It might be a few weeks before the Shorewood boys cross country team hits its stride.

Two-time state qualifier Chris Goiney is sidelined by a stress fracture he sustained over the summer and won’t return until the end of the month.

The senior took seventh at the 2001 Western Conference 4A South Division meet and ninth at Northwest Districts.

“He had some big goals for this season and they’re not done,” Shorewood coach Howie Wood said. “If all goes well, he’ll be close to top form again by the end of the year.”

Junior Kevin Klein finished in the top 30 at last year’s league meet and is coming off a breakout track season. After a broken collarbone forced him to miss all of 2001, Rob Osborne is back for his senior season.

Also returning are seniors Zach Conroy and Sam Flanigan, juniors Jonathan Arthur and Colin Ferris and sophomores Mikel Bair, Chris Moore and Dan Myers.

“Last year we finished in the middle of the pack,” Wood said. “This year, we’ve got a good chance to be a few places higher.”

With four of its top seven runners from last season gone, Shorewood’s girls team is in rebuilding mode.

Northwest 4A District champion Celia Maclean is running for Northwest College in Kirkland and three other seniors have also moved on.

But numbers remain high for the Thunderbirds, especially in their freshman class.

“We’ve got an exciting new crop of freshmen out,” coach Amy Chertock said. “It will be a learning and developing year.”

Senior Tiffany Passi and sophomore Rachel Botham take over Shorewood’s top two spots. Passi finished 18th at the district meet, missing out on a state berth by just two placements.

“We’re hoping for good things from both of them,” Chertock said.