Will this be the end of an era?
Every fall since 2002 at least one team or one individual from a Snohomish County high school has won a state cross country championship. But that streak could fizzle out this weekend.
Although there are several legitimate contenders, no clear favorites hail from this county entering Saturday’s all-classification state meet, which features 11 races on a 3.1-mile course at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.
Then again, some of Snohomish County’s champions over the last four years weren’t favored either.
The local winners from 2002 to 2005 were:
* 2005 – Jeff Helmer of Jackson (4A boys) and Tyler Rapp of Lakewood (2A boys)
* 2004-Kelly Spady of Kamiak (4A boys)
* 2003-Snohomish (4A girls)
* 2002-Snohomish (4A girls), Amber Nickelson of Lake Stevens (4A girls), Ryan Thomas of Lakewood (2A boys).
This year the highest-ranked local teams are girls squads. Snohomish is No. 3 in Class 4A and South Whidbey is No. 3 in 2A, both according to the Washington state cross country coaches’ poll.
Snohomish, which placed third and fourth the last two years after winning back-to-back titles, must run amazingly well to challenge No. 1 Gig Harbor, the defending champion.
“Gig Harbor is the team to beat,” Snohomish coach Dan Parker said Saturday.
In 2A, the South Whidbey girls are ranked behind No. 1 Sehome and No. 2 Bellingham – the two teams that finished ahead of South Whidbey at district.
Among the boys, Joey Bywater of Lake Stevens, Yonatan Yilma of Edmonds-Woodway and Dak Riek of Mariner could challenge in the 4A race.
Will a local champion emerge on Saturday? It’s tough to say.
But, as Snohomish’s Parker said, “Anything can happen over at state.” Here’s a brief preview of key races involving local athletes.
4A boys
Team favorites: Mead, Ferris
Top individual returner: Michael Chinchar of Kentwood (second, 15:51)
Local snapshot: Lake Stevens junior Joey Bywater, Mariner senior Dak Riek and District 1 champion Yonatan Yilma of Edmonds-Woodway all have a shot. Bywater, a state track champ, was fifth at district, but set a course record (14:59) last month at the Richland Invitational.
“We’ll see,” Lake Stevens co-head coach Cliff Chaffee said. “We haven’t put that (state title) dream away.”
Riek was 12th last year. His coach, Dave McFadden, said, “I truly believe Dak has as strong a chance as anyone in the race.”
4A girls
Team favorites: Gig Harbor, Thomas Jefferson.
Top individual returners: Paige Pattilo of Bothell (fourth, 18:24), Nicole Cochran of Bellarmine Prep (fifth, 18:36).
Local snapshot: Snohomish senior Kara Sporrong recovered from a stress fracture she suffered last season to win a district championship. Starting with her freshman year, she placed 11th, seventh and 26th at state.
“(Sporrong) should compete with the leaders,” Snohomish’s Parker said last weekend, “but (Bellarmine junior) Nicole Cochran is ripping it up.”
3A boys
Team favorites: North Central, Seattle Prep.
Top individual returner: Max O’Donoghue-McDonald of Seattle Prep (first, 15:54).
Local snapshot: Seniors Axel Stanovsky and Logan Ordona lead No. 5 Everett in its first state appearance since 1999. The district-champion Seagulls were unranked entering last weekend.
3A girls
Team favorites: Squalicum, West Valley (Yakima)
Top individual returner: Bronwyn Crossman of Squalicum (fourth, 18:37).
Local snapshot: Meadowdale sends a team to state for the first time since 1977. Junior Eryn Jones (ninth at district) is the Mavericks’ top runner.
2A boys
Team favorites: Burlington-Edison, Sehome.
Top individual returner: Abdi Giire of Foster (fourth, 16:42).
Local snapshot: Spearheaded by Taylor Guske and James Ervin (12th and 13th at districts), No. 6 Lakewood should fare well again after earning fourth- and second-place trophies the past two years.
2A girls
Team favorites: Sehome, Bellingham.
Top individual returners: Sarah Porter (first, 19:24) and Shannon Porter (second, 19:25), both of Hockinson.
Local snapshot: Following a rare absence from state in 2005, No. 3 South Whidbey will lean on senior Katy Gordon (15th last year in 3A) and Erica Johnson. Senior Corrine Gogert (22nd in 2A) guides No. 8 Lakewood.
1A boys
Team favorites: King’s, Nooksack Valley.
Semi-local snapshot: Brothers Evan and Jeff Dull of King’s went 1-2 at district and could help launch the Knights to their first state title since they snared four straight (1999 to 2002).
1A girls
Team favorites: Lakeside, King’s.
Semi-local snapshot: King’s sophomore Olivia Thomas (second at districts) was eighth in 2A as a freshman.
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