Mead, Ferris Teams Set For Showdown

The stage is set for one final meet to determine Greater Spokane League boys and girls cross country champions.

Boys and girls teams from Mead and Ferris swept league three-way meets on Wednesday. The schools complete their league schedules at Whitworth College next Wednesday.

At Audubon Park, champion Jason Fayant led three Mead boys runners in the top four as his top-ranked Panthers (6-0) ran their GSL record to 64-0 since a 1987 loss to Shadle Park. Fayant ran the 3 miles in 15 minutes, 48 seconds, 13 seconds ahead of Jon Caballero of North Central (2-4). Mead’s David Green and Morgan Thompson finished next. Gonzaga Prep (4-2) edged NC 27-29, led by fifth-place Jim Rucker.

At Manito Park, the secondranked Ferris (6-0) boys automatically beat host Lewis and Clark (2-4) and Central Valley (2-4) by finishing 1-2-3 with Isaac Hawkins (15:37), Dave Schruth and Paul Harkins. Fourth-place Ryan Johnson (16:33) and a strong finish by seventh-place Nate Nelson led LC over CV 26-31.

Ferris’ second-ranked girls (6-0) beat LC (3-3) and CV (2-4) as champion Jennifer Smith (19:30) beat teammate Jill Johnson by 4 seconds. Third-place Rebekah Paulk (19:56) helped the Tigers edge CV 26-30.

Mead’s fifth-ranked girls (5-1) beat NC (2-4) and G-Prep (0-6) with a near dead heat for first between winner Stephanie Goaslind (19:16) and Lynde Johnson (same time). Third-place Lori Kostelecky (19:37) helped the Indians over G-Prep.

Sixth-ranked University (5-1), the other girls team jockeying for first, beat seventh-ranked Shadle Park (3-3) and Rogers (1-5) at Liberty Lake Park. Runner-up Taraka Campbell (19:58) led six Titans in the top nine, including four in the top five. Champion Christa Eide (19:51) led Shadle over Rogers.

The third-ranked U-Hi boys (4-2) also won twice, as runner-up Seth Mott (16:56) beat teammate James Berry by 4 seconds. U-Hi again had six of the top nine runners. Clear winner Casey Perry (16:17) helped the Highlanders nip Rogers 27-28.

Girls soccer

Casey Lektorich’s first-half goal on a penalty kick sparked U-Hi to a 2-1 win at cold, rainy CV.

Sara Streufert’s ninth goal of the year gave the Titans some insurance before Katie Carpenter of CV scored her 10th goal of the season.

U-Hi tied idle LC for fourth place, with 22 points. The Titans have seven regulation wins, no overtime wins, one overtime loss and four regulation losses. The sixth-place Bears are 5-0-3-5, 18.

At Rogers, Erin Helms scored her first two goals of the year and league scoring leader Stacy Clinesmith added two to reach 15 as first-place Mead (11-1-0-0, 35) topped the Pirates 10-0. Rogers (0-0-1-12, 1) didn’t have a shot on goal.

Ferris (8-2-0-2, 28), tied for second place, received two goals from Stacia Palladino during a 4-0 win over visiting NC (1-2-0-10, 7). Sharma Shields added a goal from 12 yards out as the Saxons rewarded coach John Gould on his birthday.

, DataTimes