Parking problems facing Mariner, Kamiak fans

Herald staff

Tonight’s football playoff doubleheader at Goddard Stadium has the potential to be a logistical nightmare.

Arlington plays Mariner at 5 p.m. followed by Mount Vernon vs. Kamiak at 8 p.m.

Today is also election day and Mariner High School, the site of Goddard Stadium, is a polling place. Consequently, a certain amount of parking will be reserved for voters.

Mariner athletic director Jerry Carr said he expects the school’s lots will fill quickly and late-arriving fans may want to park at nearby Voyager Middle School.

Administrators plan to clear the stadium following the first game. Even patrons with tickets for both games will have to exit and re-enter the facility.

Fans arriving for the second game may slow the exits of fans leaving the first game, clogging the parking lot driveways and creating traffic backups on 4th Ave.

Hall of famers: One current and two former Western Conference baseball coaches will be inducted into the state coaches’ Hall of Fame Nov. 17. Former Cascade coach Bob Smithson, former Everett coach Lou Stevenson and Oak Harbor coach Jim Waller will be honored at a noon luncheon at the Sea-Tac Doubletree. The festivities are open to the public. The cost of the luncheon is $15. For more information contact Stanwood coach Scott Knight at 360-629-1300 extension 5034.

Smithson, now the athletic director for the Everett School District, became the head coach at his alma mater in 1987 and guided the Bruins until 2000 when he left for his district position. During his 14 years at the Cascade helm, his teams won or shared five league titles, won five district titles, two regional titles and placed second and fourth at state. His teams qualified for postseason play in 13 of his 14 seasons.

Stevenson served as Everett head coach from 1969-1977 and from 1983-1987. His 1977 team won league and district championships. The Seagulls were division champs three times and made state appearances in 1973 and 1977.

Waller has been the head coach at his alma mater since 1979. His teams have won four league titles and made 10 postseason appearances. The Wildcats finished second in the state in 1990.

Ex-3A schools master North: Oh, those poor 3A schools, they said. How will they ever compete in the Class 4A Western Conference North Division against the likes of Snohomish and Cascade? Just fine, thank you. All three North playoff spots were claimed by schools that were 3A playoff teams last season. Lake Stevens and Arlington duplicated their 1-2 finish in last year’s Wesco 3A race. Mount Vernon, the Northwest 3A League’s No. 2 team last year, took the third berth when Snohomish was upset by Cascade Friday.

Ranking on rankings: Several area coaches have been critical of the state cross country rankings. An informal poll is conducted by Eisenhower coach Phil English. There are no ballots. According to area coaches, English simply calls some coaches and looks at results.

“It’s basically just his opinion,” one coach said.

King’s coach Rod Wilcox said his team pays little attention to the so-called poll. The King’s boys were ranked second behind Freeman in the poll before Saturday’s state meet. The Knights had one of the most dominant meets in several years, while Freeman finished fourth – 96 points behind King’s.

“The only poll we are concerned with is the last one,” Wilcox said. “And that one comes out after (the state) meet.”

Lack of oxygen: Saturday’s state cross country meet was missing the usual wind and rain, but several competitors did not fare well on the warm, sunny afternoon. A few athletes had to be helped by medical staff after races, including Enumclaw’s Alison Tubbs, a race favorite who finished sixth. One runner in the boys 3A race was being consoled and physically held up by two WIAA staff members. They told him what a great race he had run for a freshman, and said other nice things. The spent runner, who was disappointed with his finish, eventually heard enough sweet talk. Though he appeared to be barely conscious, he mustered every last ounce of energy and said: “Would you please just shut up?”

Top 5 slogans on state cross country T-shirts: 5. Lewis &Clark girls, “We make the best cake in Washington, and state is icing on the cake.” 4. Curtis, “Sweat, pain and pavement.” 3. Lewis &Clark boys, “LC (lightning bolt) CC – Back in Black.” 2. Mercer Island, “Our sport is your sport’s punishment.” 1. North Central, “You can’t smoke this pack.”

Lynnwood’s Goold stars in Texas: Rachel Goold, a former Lynnwood High soccer star, finished near the top of the NCAA Division III goal-keeping statistics this season as a freshman at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Through October, Goold’s goals-against average of 0.25 was fourth in the nation in Division III. Goold’s team finished with a record of 19-2-4, making it to the South Region final before losing to Lynchburg (Va.) College.

Kamiak senior picks Portland State: Senior point guard Christina Petersen of Kamiak has signed an NCAA letter of intent to play college basketball at Portland State. Petersen holds the Kamiak school records for assists and 3-point goals.

Meadowdale’s Martin honored: Meadowdale swim coach Ron Martin was named the 3A Northwest District coach of the year during Saturday’s meet at Fidalgo pool in Anacortes. He becomes a finalists for the state coach of the year award, which will be handed out at this week’s state meet in Federal Way.

Son follows in father’s footsteps: Brent Hudson, the first-year coach of the boys basketball team at Snohomish County Christian, is the son of former Lions’ coach Steve Hudson.

Academic champs: Darrington has won the Class B academic state championship for football. The Loggers posted a 3.42 team grade point average.

Other state champs include:

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