Snohomish boys looking to finish in the top four at state meet

By Aaron Swaney

Herald Writer

Back again, but with higher expectations.

After last year’s sixth-place finish at the 4A state championships and last week’s first-place finish at the 4A Northwest District meet, the Snohomish boys cross country team is looking for more at this Saturday’s 4A state meet in Pasco.

“We want a top-four finish without a doubt,” said Snohomish coach Dan Parker about his runners’ goals at this year’s race, which will be held again at the Sun Willows Golf Course.

With five runners who can challenge the top racers at state, a top-four finish shouldn’t be out of the Panthers’ reach.

First is Stevie Blackburn, who finished 29th last year at state as a sophomore and is coming off an impressive fifth-place showing at district.

On Blackburn’s heels last week was teammate Ryan Roache, who, along with Faraz Bala, will contend with Blackburn for the top Snohomish finisher. Bala finished 72nd last year at state and finished as low as 12th last week only because he fell shortly after starting the race.

But the basis for Snohomish’s optimism about a top-four finish lies in its depth. Jimmie Poier and Sam Scotchmer both finished in the top 20 last week and should help the Panthers’ cause this Saturday.

Especially Poier, who finished 24th at last year’s state meet, which was the best showing for a Panther underclassman at the meet.

Shorecrest and Jackson also qualified their teams to run this Saturday in Pasco. Both teams have talent and experience with Shorecrest placing just behind Snohomish at last year’s state meet and Jackson taking third place in last year’s 3A state meet.

Shorecrest’s hopes ride on the shoulders of Kevin Hansen, who finished second last week and 43rd at last year’s state meet.

Jackson, meanwhile, has two runners vying for top 10 finishes in Pasco. Senior Evan Wirkala, who finished ninth last week, and sophomore Caleb Knox, who finished third last week.

The local runner with the best shot at placing first Saturday is like a man without a country. Travis Boyd is a man without a team.

Kamiak’s inability to place in the top three last week means it did not qualify as a team. Only teammate Evan Garrett will be able to run with Boyd as he attempts to win. But Boyd is undeterred from his main objective.

“My goal all along has been to get first in state,” said Boyd.

Meadowdale will be sending its entire team to the 3A meet after placing second last week in the 3A Northwest District race.

Headed by Adam Shimer, who finished second last week, the Mavericks will be depending on four other racers who finished in the top 25 at district. Daniel Stabbert, Duncan Hendrick, Brian Seeley and Kevin Myhre all finished in the top-25 last week and will be running this Saturday in hopes of lifting Meadowdale into the top-five finish.

The lone Lynnwood runner is Daniel Mayen, who finished sixth last week in Mount Vernon.

In the 2A state meet, Lakewood and South Whidbey will be sending their teams to Pasco after finishing first and third, respectively, last week at the Northwest District meet.

Lakewood is led by brothers Andy and Marc Dewey, who finished fourth and sixth, respectively, last week. The Cougars also will be leaning on Ryan Thomas and Cameron Hartman, who finished 10th and 11th, respectively last week.

South Whidbey will look to James Sundquist, who finished third last week and 49th last year at the state meet. The Falcons will need Sundquist if they plan on regaining the magic they had last year when they finished second behind East Valley (Yakima).

At the A/B level, King’s has the best shot at making any noise in Saturday’s race. After finishing first last year and first last week, King’s will try not to settle for anything less this week. And since it returns most of last season’s team, it probably shouldn’t. Top runners like Adam Roe, who finished first last year and last week, and Brandon Thompson, who finished third last year, should give the Knights ample confidence going into this Saturday’s race.