Tim Herrington knew there would be some bumps along the road. Taking over a start-up program at a new high school, Herrington faces what all varsity coaches at Chiawana High face this school year: a season with no seniors.
Additionally, not everyone on the Riverhawks cross country team has run competitively before.
"We came into the season just kind of taking what we could get, working with what we have," said Herrington, who was the assistant cross country coach and distances coach in track and field at Pasco before moving over to Chiawana. "We had some spots at the beginning of the season where it was hard to focus. No one knew how to run, how to push themselves. Now they're figuring that out."
While big team results may be a season away, the Riverhawks are coming off a strong individual showing at the Connell Invitational.
Junior Matthew Sturtevant, easily the team's most experienced runner, finished third in the boys race, while freshmen Hannah Stock was second and Sydney Boothe 12th in the girls event.
"He was the one I was expecting to be performing and honing his talents," Herrington said of Sturtevant, who had a strong track season last year.
Herrington added he's pleased with the turnout for the boys team -- 15 runners, though some of them without any experience on a cross country course before this fall.
On the girls side, the Riverhawks fielded a full squad once this season ... for about two minutes. That's how long freshman Kelsey Wilson lasted at the first CBBN meet before a knee injury acted up and put her on the sidelines until the spring.
Still, Herrington said, it's been a good start. "We're just going to build on this year and see where it takes us," he said.
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Family Affair
Family Affair
The Kamiakin Braves figure to play a key role in several story lines when the state cross country races take over Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco on Saturday.
Matt and Stephanie Rexus are key players for the Braves -- Matt is the longtime coach of the boys team expected to challenge five-time defending 3A champion North Central, Stephanie a senior and top runner for the girls team looking to repeat as state trophy winners.
But for a twist of fate, the father and daughter might never have gotten into running the first place.
Chiawana shuts out Hanford
Chiawana shuts out Hanford
Both Chiawana football Steve Graff and Hanford coach Rob Oram were looking for answers Friday night.
After the Riverhawks defeated a tough and determined Hanford team 24-0 at Fran Rish Stadium, both coaches were pleased with some of what they discovered about their teams.
For Graff and his defending Columbia Basin Big Nine 4A champions, the question was how sophomore quarterback Joey Zamora would fare in his first varsity action.
Football season is upon us
Football season is upon us
When the WIAA high school football season wraps up in another 15 weeks or so on Dec. 3, only a few teams will be left standing.
But for the purest form of hope, you just can't beat that first day of practice.
"The word of the day is always optimism. Everybody is undefeated today. The whole season is in front of us," said Kennewick coach Bill Templeton, who began his 10th year with the Lions with a rousing helmets-only workout Wednesday. "It's a leader's job to get the group from here to there. When the journey starts, everybody's excited."
Major cross country meets coming up
Major cross country meets coming up
With back-to-back premier events in the cross country world the next two weekends, different teams are using the big meets for different reasons.
For elite teams -- like the Kamiakin boys (ranked second in the state 3A) and girls (ranked third) -- it is a chance to pit themselves against the Northwest's best at Sunfair this Saturday at Franklin Park in Yakima and the Richland Invite the following weekend.
Likewise for the top individuals, with some of the best boys in the nation lining up for Kamiakin's Anthony Armstrong to challenge.
Chiawana shuts out Hanford (w/ video)
Chiawana shuts out Hanford (w/ video)
RICHLAND -- Both Chiawana football Steve Graff and Hanford coach Rob Oram were looking for answers Friday night.
After the Riverhawks defeated a tough and determined Hanford team 24-0 at Fran Rish Stadium, both coaches were pleased with some of what they discovered about their teams.
For Graff and his defending Columbia Basin Big Nine 4A champions, the question was how sophomore quarterback Joey Zamora would fare in his first varsity action.
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