Five history-making young ladies gave Jim Lien quite a retirement gift last weekend.
Lien will step down from his job as head coach of the Granite Falls High School boys and girls cross country teams following this season. But the Tigers girls squad made history Saturday during the District 1 meet at South Whidbey High School in Langley, delaying Lien’s retirement an extra week.
The Granite Falls girls placed fourth in the Class 2A race to qualify for a state meet for the first time in school history. “To have them do something like this is amazing,” said Lien, who started the Granite Falls boys and girls programs in 1981.
The Tigers girls team has just five runners – the minimum required to compete for team honors. Three freshmen (Crystal Marino, Lindsey Sannon and Hannah Anderson) led the way Saturday, all placing among the top 15. Mesha Parks is the only senior, and sophomore Alice Livermore rounds out the unit.
“They’ve just gotten progressively better the whole year,” Lien said. “They ran unbelievably Saturday.”
Lien’s boys teams have advanced to state twice and at least one individual qualified from 1984-2003. But the experience this weekend in Pasco will be uncharted territory for the girls.
“They’re extremely excited,” Lien said. “I’m sure the nervousness will come about, but they’re a very confident group of girls right now.
“The hardest part is getting (to state). You go there, you have fun, and you just do the best (you) can.”
Lien has started to transfer coaching responsibilities to two assistants, Cathy Boyce and Kelly Kettler. The coaches have done a remarkable job, Lien said. “They deserve a majority of the credit.”
E-W’s Greenwood commits to UNLV: Edmonds-Woodway volleyball player Erin Greenwood has made a verbal commitment to play for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, according to E-W coach Mike Pittis.
Greenwood, a 6-foot-4 senior middle blocker, led the Warriors (5-4 Western Conference South, 8-9 overall) to the Class 4A District 1 tournament, where they finished their season on Saturday. Pittis, who has coached high school volleyball for 32 years, said last week Greenwood might be the best player he has seen.
“Her work ethic is just amazing, her commitment to her team. She’s become the heart and soul of (the team).
“It’s been an absolute honor and a privilege to work with her.”
In 14 regular-season matches Greenwood had 191 kills (13.6 per match) and 24 service aces, both team highs.
Arlington volleyball team earns WIAA academic championship: The Arlington High volleyball team won the fall 2004 Class 4A State Academic Championship.
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association sponsors the awards to recognize the academic achievement of high school athletic teams and activity programs, according to the WIAA Web site. Arlington compiled a 3.736 grade-point average.
It is the first time the team has earned the award, according to coach Kim Anderson. “I’m really proud of them. It’s very exciting.”
Arlington has a shot at winning the award again next year. The Eagles lose just one senior, Carly Melton. The other varsity members are Shayna Prause, Nikki Bobadilla, Rachel Davis, Brooklyn Holton, Ganelle Swehla, Keesha Carpentar, Tawni Brewer, Kari O’Sullivan, Kelsie Luchini, Ashley Fitzmaurice.
Anderson is quite familiar with the honor – not as a coach but as an athlete. Anderson said her Davenport High basketball team won the state academic award three times when she attended the Class B school located about 45 minutes west of Spokane.
Mustard magic back at Meadowdale: The Meadowdale High football team wrapped up its first Western Conference South championship in 25 years Friday with a 26-10 victory over Shorewood. The Mavericks finished 7-2, earning a share of the division title with Edmonds-Woodway.
It seems Mustard might be Meadowdale’s secret to success.
Mavericks senior co-captain Joe Mustard, a 5-foot-10, 235-pound lineman, is the son of Tim Mustard, who was a senior captain for Meadowdale’s 1979 title team. Back then the school’s mascot was the Chieftans. That team also went 7-2 before advancing to the state playoff quarterfinals.
The Mavericks, the Wesco South No. 2 seed because of a head-to-head loss against E-W, will try to keep their season rolling when they play Auburn (7-2) 3 p.m. Saturday in a Class 4A quad-district qualifier game at Edmonds Stadium.
Everett alum Moore picks Seattle University: Former Everett High basketball player Adam Moore has made a verbal commitment to play for Seattle University.
Moore, a 6-foot-7 forward who red-shirted last season at Southern Oregon University, will play for Everett Community College this year. He will still have three years of eligibility next year when he transfers to Seattle University.
Moore averaged 20.8 points and seven rebounds per game as a senior at Everett High.
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