EvCC cross country team up and running

  • Chris Trujillo / Herald Writer
  • Wednesday, October 10, 2001 9:00pm
  • Sports

By Chris Trujillo

Herald Writer

EVERETT – The good news is that Everett Community College has added cross country to its fall sports lineup after eliminating it 15 years ago.

The bad news is that there are no scholarships to be offered, nor is there much interest among students already attending the school. The lack of appeal has left the women’s team short on runners with just four, making it ineligible to score team points in events.

And now the men’s team has taken a hit by losing two of its runners (one also an assistant coach) to military duty. The team of eight is now just six, one more than the five-member minimum for team scoring, leaving little room for injuries or anything else that may arise.

Instead of competing, 34-year-old Andrew Macoleni, also the team’s assistant coach, and teammate Allen Duncan, will join thousands of other reservists called up to serve their country in the wake of the Sept. 11 East Coast terrorists attacks.

“I just got a team together, and suddenly two of them are called up,” coach Sue Grigsby said. “I figured the first year would be tough, and it is.”

Macoleni, a U.S. Navy third class gunners mate, dropped out of school last week in order to get ready for a possible one-year active duty commitment. All he knows for sure is that he’ll be stationed somewhere in the Puget Sound region instead of going overseas. The same goes for the 24-year-old Duncan, except he’ll be serving with the Coast Guard.

“I served in the Persian Gulf, so I am happy to stay close to home this time around,” Macoleni said. “I am not sure where I’ll be. The Puget Sound region is a large area, so I’ll have to wait and see. I just wish it would get started.”

As for the remaining members of the men’s team, they’ll compete this weekend at the Clark Invitational in Lewisville Park, the same course where the NWAACC Championships will be held on Nov. 10. According to Grigsby, it will be a good opportunity for the team to get familiar with the course.

“It’s been a tough year,” she said. “But I think we can compete with the other teams. I think we can be frontrunners. It will be a good preview race for the championships in November.”

Although her first year has been a bit rocky, Grigsby, a former Lake Stevens High School assistant cross country coach, has already began scouting local high school talent. She is also trying to find ways to entice local sponsors to donate funds in order to start a scholarship program. If that’s not enough, she using her spare time to revamp the school athletic web site, which she believes can be used to attract future prospects.

“I’ve been lobbying for community donors,” Grigsby said. “It would help a great deal if we can offer athletes some help. The scholarships can only be worth $200, so it’s not too much, but everything helps.”

Dynamic Duo: Sophomores Ryan Hopp and Patrick Pollock are on a mission. After leading the Edmonds Community College men’s soccer team to a flawless 16-0 regular season record last year, the duo has dedicated itself to not repeating last season’s disappointing ending – a first-round playoff loss to eventual champion Tacoma.

While the team will not repeat its unscathed record due to an early-season loss, it is still a top contender with a 6-1-2 record.

Offensively, Marysville-Pilchuck’s Hopp has been unstoppable. Last year’s NWAACC All-Star forward has scored 18 goals in just nine games, and had hat tricks in both a 7-0 victory over Everett and a 5-4 win over Wenatchee Valley last week.

“He came out of high school a great recruit,” EdCC coach Eddie Fernandez said. “He works so hard. He doesn’t let his success get to his head. He works hard all the time, which helps avoid bad habits.”

Two weeks ago, Hopp, the team’s captain, scored two goals in two games which were preceded by a four-goal game against Columbia Basin earlier this month. According to Fernandez, though, Hopp wouldn’t be nearly as effective if not for running mate Pollock, who was named last year’s NWAACC Offensive Player of the Year.

“Patrick (Pollock) is almost always on the end of Ryan’s goals,” Fernandez said. “They compliment each other very well. And they have a great friendly rivalry between each other, which I believe brings out the best in both of them.”

Next year, the two, who are currently on scholarship, are destined to play at four-year schools, according to Fernandez.

“We will sit down and figure what is best for them,” he said “Regardless of what level, they will definitely play somewhere.”

EdCC, currently tied for second place in the league standings, will host Walla Walla on Friday beginning at 6:30 p.m., and Columbia Basin on Sunday at 4 p.m. All home games are played at Lynnwood High School.

Other community college results – Volleyball: EdCC (2-3 in league, 3-4 overall) split last week’s games, defeating Olympic 3-0 and losing to Whatcom 3-0 to fall to fourth place.

EvCC (0-5, 2-6) lost 3-0 to Whatcom last week to remain winless in league and alone in last place.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Rashard Robinson (33) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer / Bay Area News Group / Tribune News Services)
Sports psychologist changed Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin’s outlook

The former receiver overcame intense emotions during his player career

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.