It Took A Little Time, But Freeman, Valley Christian Are In The Running

There are definite similarities among the cross country teams at Freeman High and Valley Christian School.

Both have built full boys and girls teams for the first time in a while under a pair of relatively new coaches.

Lisa Phelan is in her second year at Freeman.

“Last year we had only seven kids total,” she said. “This year we have full boys and girls teams, some JV and junior high runners. Now it’s overwhelming.”

Linda Lanker, a former collegiate hurdler whose daughter attends Valley Christian, has taken the coaching job there.

She replaces Don Dicus who will be an assistant track coach at Whitworth College.

“It’s just a new experience for me,” said Lanker. “The coaches used to make me run and I hated it. Now I’m coaching and having fun.”

Both teams are hopeful for good things when they compete for state berths in October.

Freeman runners look ahead

Brothers who had a successful spring, lead Freeman’s distance running corps.

Eight others are vying for the remaining five varsity spots.

Senior Joe Russell and his junior brother Jon were among the better league track distance runners.

Behind them are junior Ian Higgins, sophomore Tom Warren and a host of possibilities.

Seniors Doug Sublette, Eric Fulerkson, Phil Kobczynski, sophomore Travis Duncan and freshman David Bickler complete the team.

Girls runners are freshman standout Laura Halverson, juniors Tracie Duncan and Sadie Kalstad, sophomore Lindsay Asher and freshman Krista Freeman.

“We were second at our invitational so that was very good,” said Phelan. “I’m pretty sure we can send some individuals to state. A team would be pretty nice.”

Panthers build with youth

Valley Christian boys and girls teams are predominantly sophomores and freshmen.

Chad Meyer is the lone senior and he’s been hobbled with an ankle sprain from playing on the Panther soccer team.

“If he gets healthy, he’ll do great,” said his coach.

Sophomores Stephanie Meyer and Katie Rosholt, freshmen Kristen Lanker, Krisi Wright and Allison West are the girls runners.

Lanker and West are also members of the Valley Christian volleyball team.

Boys team includes sophomores Jared Evans, Eric Dahl, Andrew Diaz and freshman Steve Goering.

Evans, like Chad Meyer, plays soccer.

Lanker will coach track in the spring. She has helped various area high school hurdlers and sprinters in the past.

“I’ll have some track milers this year and I’ve got a relay,” said Lanker in anticipation.

At present, her goal is for the runners to stay positive.

“It’s such a young team,” she said. “It’s fun, though.”

What’s up next week?

The Central Valley-Rogers football game next Thursday has taken on added implications.

In two games to date, the Pirates have turned up the offense, averaging nearly 34 points per game while compiling a 1-1 Greater Spokane League record.

It’s loss came in the final four seconds to Mead.

So a game that the Bears may have figured to have in hand won’t be easy.

Judging from the first six games, none will be. So far the average margin of victory has been less than six points per contest, two have been decided in overtime and three others late in the fourth quarter.

West Valley opens the Frontier League season at home on Friday against Clarkston.

The Eagles lost their opener at Medical Lake by turning over the football eight times.

Incidentally two juniors who were brilliant as middle school rushers and who played high school varsity last year, were explosive in their openers.

CV’s Tyree Clowe rushed for 195 yards and four touchdowns. WV’s Chris Hilsabeck scored on a 32-yard run and 90-yard kickoff return.

Medal play at Painted Hills

It was medal play as usual for members of Painted Hills Ladies Golf Club.

A flight low gross score was by Carol Blume with 47. Lori Gray netted 41.

B flight winners were Deanna Tucker with low gross 50 and Inge Klep with low net 39.

In C flight, Donna Steimetz shot 56 and Pat Angrove netted 40.

Trish Behrens had 67 in D flight and Annie Bainter netted 39.

Medal play for 9-Holers

Braving Thursday’s rain, Liberty Lake 9-Hole Ladies Club members played a round of golf.

In A flight, Elaine Tai shot 57 and Joanne Ruddell netted 43.

Sadie Rueckert had low gross for the day with 55 in B flight and Ruth Jenkins netted 40.

C flight winner was Joan Rassley with 66. In D, Jean Skredsvig shot 68 and Deanna Hauser netted 53.

, DataTimes