Bailey Granstrom better be careful. She almost derailed her quest for another trip to Pasco.

Last Saturday the Lake Stevens High School senior smacked her left shoulder on a metal pole as she maneuvered through a gate early in the Western Conference North Division girls cross country championship race at Lakewood High.

Granstrom, a senior, overcame the pain and placed third, but the collision left her pretty sore. “I whacked it pretty good. It hurts,” said Granstrom, who laughed about her clumsy moment.

Sore shoulder and all, Granstrom doesn’t plan to let anything stop her from earning a fourth-consecutive trip to the Class 4A state cross country championships. She and other 2A, 3A and 4A runners will chase state-meet berths Saturday at the District 1 boys and girls championships at South Whidbey High.

Here’s who qualifies for state: 4A-the top three teams and 15 individuals; 3A-two teams, 10 individuals; 2A-four teams and 20 individuals.

For Granstrom, who placed 76th at state last year, one more state appearance is a must. “It means a lot for me to do that,” she said. “After going (to state three times), it would suck to not go senior year.”

The road to state for the Cascade Conference-champion Lakewood boys team should be interesting. The Cougars, ranked No. 6 in 2A in the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Poll, will go against the state’s top three-ranked 2A teams – No. 1 Sehome, No. 2 Burlington-Edison and No. 3 Bellingham – at districts. Last fall Lakewood won the 2A district meet and placed fourth at state, but that was before Sehome, B-E and Bellingham dropped from 3A to 2A.

Gelakoska’s status uncertain

Jake Gelakoska, senior quarterback for the Jackson football team, suffered a turf toe injury -basically a severe sprain of the big toe – Friday night late in the first quarter of his team’s 36-28 victory over Shorewood. Based on X-ray results on Saturday, it appears the Oregon State University recruit did not fracture the toe when an opponent rolled onto his leg with about two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Jackson coach Joel Vincent said. The QB’s status is questionable for Friday’s game against Edmonds-Woodway. Gelakoska was off to a hot start before the injury (4-for-6 passing for 118 yards and two touchdowns). “Things were going great,” Vincent said, “and then next thing you know he goes down.”

King’s star picks Montana St.

Sarah Strand, a King’s senior, made a verbal commitment to play basketball for Montana State University. The 6-foot-1 senior post player helped King’s win back-to-back 2A state championships the past two seasons and averaged about 11 points and six rebounds per game on a balanced 2005-2006 Knights squad. Strand, who will be a two-year starter and a four-year letter winner, is extremely versatile and consistent on offense, King’s coach Eric Rasmussen said. Strand had a great recruiting visit to Montana State’s campus in Bozeman, Rasmussen said: “I think she really liked the coaches (and) the atmosphere. … She will be able to come in and contribute right away (for) a program that is working to kind of turn it around.” MSU was 3-23 last season (2-12 in Big Sky Conference games) and is led by second-year head coach Tricia Binford.

South Whidbey midfielder commits to Rollins College

Kelsey Kimmel of the South Whidbey girls soccer team committed to play for Rollins College, a NCAA Division II school in Winter Park, Fla., South Whidbey coach Paul Arand said. Kimmel, a center midfielder, has tallied seven goals and one assist this season. She was an All-Cascade Conference first-team selection in 2004 and 2005, and as a freshman in 2003 she helped South Whidbey place second at the 2A state tournament.

Lynnwood teams make the grade

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association presents team academic awards every athletic season, and this fall four Lynnwood squads received recognition, according to Edmonds School District athletic director Terri McMahan. The Lynnwood cross country team (3.583 cumulative grade-point average), including boys and girls, received the Outstanding Award (3.5 GPA or higher). The Royals volleyball team (3.239), girls soccer team (3.072) and boys tennis team (3.299) garnered the Distinguished Award (GPA of 3.0-3.49).

Jackson seeks bowling coach

Jackson needs a girls bowling coach for the 2006-2007 season, which begins with a practice on Monday. For application details, call 425-385-7016 or 425-385-4260.