Valley Christian’s Grant Marchant runs out front

Since Grant Marchant broke on to the high school running scene as a freshman, the Valley Christian senior has been by himself on the track.

When he turned out for track his freshman year, he didn’t have a clear idea what events he’d do. He remembered that in sixth grade he had the best mile time during a P.E. class.

So he tried the 1,600 meters. Then he added the 800. And just for kicks, a week before district, he tested himself in the 3,200 – the longest of the long-distance races that requires eight laps around a 400-meter oval.

Fast forward to this spring and Marchant will be seeking to capture a fourth straight State 1B championship in the 3,200 and third consecutive titles in the 800 and 1,600.

This is from a kid who does no out-of-season training.

“What he does with the little time he spends training is amazing,” Valley Christian coach Joel Hayek said. “He’s one of my fastest sprinters, too.”

“That’s the joke of the whole deal is I don’t run until track season,” Marchant said.

Track isn’t his favorite sport, either. He loves basketball the most and was a four-year starter at VC.

“I prefer playing with a ball more than running around in circles,” he said.

He’s played soccer the last three years. The school dropped cross country after his freshman year.

Marchant isn’t sure he’ll run in college. He’s either going to start at Spokane Falls Community College or Eastern Washington University. He wants to be an athletic trainer.

“I’m not going to be heartbroken if I don’t run anymore,” he said. “It takes hard work and passion to be successful at the collegiate level. I don’t know if I want to work that hard.”

Before he’s done at VC, Marchant would like to leave his mark. He’s after the school records in his events.

“He’s ahead of his pace from last year,” Hayek said. “He runs by himself. He’s run by himself at state. His biggest thing is his competitiveness. He’s a hard worker.”

Lake City prevails

The Lake City boys captured the championship at the Pulse Invitational at Centennial High in Meridian last Friday.

It was a quality meet with 15 of the state’s 20 5A schools participating. Heavy state favorite Rocky Mountain was at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational in Los Angeles.

LC was led by its record-breaking 400 and 800 relays. Rhet Damschen, Nathan Newby, Rikki McCaw and Chris Baker combined to finish in 42.93 seconds, breaking a school record. It’s the best time in Idaho and also tops in the region.

Newby, McCaw, Baker and Jerry Louie-McGee teamed to win the 800 relay in 1:28.18, breaking the school mark of 1:29.45.

“To run those types of times this early makes you wonder what it could be like in five weeks,” LC coach Kelly Reed said. “The meet was kind of a mini preview of state.”

LC has even more sprinters vying for spots on the relays.

“It’s without doubt our best sprint crew we’ve ever had,” Reed said.

Kyler Little won the 3,200 (9:42.39).

The foursome of Maddison Ward, Alissa Jolliff, Johanna Ramb and Camryn Wendlandt won the 400 relay in a respectable 50.95.

“They hadn’t practiced once together,” Reed said. “We had two open exchanges and a girl line up in the wrong lane. So we can take more time off.”

• Last week was spring break for Washington schools, but some Greater Spokane League athletes trekked to Arcadia.

John Dressel of Mt. Spokane, Tanner Anderson and Justin Janke of North Central and Ian Andres of Gonzaga Prep ran in the 3,200. Dressel finished in 8:57.0, Anderson came in at 8:59.81, Janke clocked 9:18.83 and Andres crossed in 9:22.04.

In the mile, Andrew Vandine of NC finished in 4:18.22. The time is 4:16.72 when converted to 1,600.

What’s up

The 53rd annual Pasco Invite is Saturday at Edgar Brown Stadium. The prestigious meet will feature 1,500 athletes from 115 schools, including several GSL and North Idaho athletes. The forecast calls for good weather.

• The GSL returns to dual action today. In what shapes up as the best meet, the Central Valley and Mead boys and girls will be at Lewis and Clark. Rogers goes to University, Shadle is at Ferris and Mt. Spokane and Gonzaga Prep visit North Central. The meets begin at 4.