Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008

Richland rich in running talent

By Kevin Anthony, Herald staff writer

RICHLAND -- It's not historic, but it's pretty dang rare.

When the Hanford and Richland High girls cross country teams each qualified for state last year, it was only the third time in 35 years that the two Richland schools had qualified a girls team in the same season.

The Falcons (ninth in 3A) and Bombers (eighth in 4A) posted their best combined finish since Hanford was second and Richland fourth in 1987.

Richland, the odds-on favorite to win Saturday's 4A Eastern Regional meet, is working on its fourth consecutive trip to state, already a record for the girls program with last year's third straight trip. The third-ranked Bombers are eyeing their first top-four finish and a state trophy since taking first and second in 1993 and '92.

Sixth-ranked Hanford, which has a little tougher road to get through the 3A regional, has hopes of its first back-to-back state trips since 1999-2000 and its first state trophy since finishing second and fourth during seven straight appearances from 1983-89.

Without question, this is the best both teams have been at the same time since the late '80s. So what gives?

"It's kind of hard to say," said Richland coach Lauri Sax. "You go through phases where, 'Dang! We're very blessed.'

"When a program starts to have success, that attracts people. Obviously there's a really rich history at Richland and Hanford. Once you start having success, it helps with recruiting."

In the halls, Sax added quickly. Of your own school.

One example of that is Richland's Maggie Jones, who last year as a freshman was playing JV soccer and this year is one of the team's top runners.

Asked earlier this season if she was enjoying cross country more than soccer, she said, "That's a strong, firm yes in caps."

It's not like there is some great feeder program for runners filling up both teams. However, most of the girls have been competitive in various sports most of their lives, and they've been competing together for almost as long -- both with their current teammates and those from the other side of town.

Richland senior Annie McDonald, who along with teammate Kiley Johnson is on schedule for her fourth state trip, recalls playing basketball with and against Hanford seniors Megan Dart and Haley Tank. Hanford sophomore Erin Hegarty and Richland's Katie Mahoney were on the same soccer and basketball teams.

"We were friends in middle school," McDonald said. "We still are friends. We hang out in the offseason."

But once they line up at the start line, it's all business.

"We just want to go out there, try our best and run our hardest," Hegarty said. "That's basically it."

Hanford coach Sean Mars said having both schools compete at a high level makes for a great atmosphere.

"Running is growing as a real viable option like it had been in the '80s," he said. "It's an exciting time. It's fun to be in a time when both are running well."

4A girls: Richland's resounding win over Davis (38-77) puts the Bombers in the driver's seat for the team title, with Eisenhower and Central Valley vying for the final team berth. Mead's Baylee Mires will be tough to beat, but Davis' duo of Sandra Martinez and Shawna Schooley will give it a try.

4A boys: No. 3 Mead, No. 5 Eisenhower and No. 6 Southridge are favorites for the team berths, but watch out for a young Ferris squad that getting stronger week by week. The field will have a tough time catching Southridge's Andrew Gonzales, whose 14:59 is tied for the second-fastest time ever run on this course.

3A girls: Mount Spokane, Hanford and Shadle Park should put on a real fight for the two state berths. Shadle no doubt will wish it could use some of 4A state champion Andrea Nelson's cushion from the individual title and spread it over the rest of the Highlanders' runners.

3A boys: How much will North Central, the two-time state champs and top-ranked team in the nation, dominate the field? Along with grabbing one of the two team berths -- Mount Spokane is strong for the second -- the Indians also likely will grab at least six of the 10 individual berths. That doesn't leave much for the rest of the pack. North Central's Andy Kimpel holds the course record at 14:57. Any challenges likely would come from his teammates.

* Kevin Anthony: 582-1403; kanthony@tricityherald.com.

Cross country

At a glance

4A/3A Eastern Regional

Where: Saturday, Carmichael Middle School.

At stake: Top 15 individuals and top 3 teams advance to 4A state; top 10 and 2 in 3A.

Times: 3A girls, noon; 4A girls, 12:30 p.m.; 3A boys, 1 p.m.; 4A boys, 1:30 p.m.

CWAC districts

Where: Saturday, Selah HS

At stake: Top 3 boys teams (15 individuals) and 2 girls teams (10 individuals) advance to 2A state.

SCAC districts

Where: Saturday, Apple Ridge, Cowiche.

At stake: Top 4 boys teams (20 individuals) and 3 girls teams (15 individuals) advance to 1A state.

Southeast B districts

Where: Today, Pomeroy.

At stake: Top 3 boys teams (15 individuals) and girls champion (5 individuals) advance to state.