This was the year Spokane's cross country dynasty was supposed to end.
A team from the Greater Spokane League had won the big-school state boys cross country meet every year since 1988. With Jackson of Mill Creek named No. 1 in the nation according to the Harrier Super 25 poll, this was the year a westside team would finally break through.
Didn't happen.
Ferris of Spokane, ranked No. 9 in the nation, won the Class 4A boys state title in Pasco, beating Jackson 68-100. It was the fifth title in seven years for the Saxons.
Jackson coach Eric Hruschka said that "four or five" of his team woke up sick.
It wasn't the only title for Spokane. The North Central boys squad won its fourth straight Class 3A state title, and the Shadle Park girls won the Class 3A girls title.
2. Moskowitz breaks record: Central Kitsap's Shane Moskowitz, who has committed to Oklahoma State, won the Class 4A boys title in a blistering 15 minutes, 6 seconds. It was the fastest state time since the state meet went to a 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) format in 1997. The complete state results are
here.
3. Mead at it again: Mead of Spokane had won five straight Class 4A state volleyball titles until crosstown rivals Lewis and Clark won it last year. Top-ranked Mead won the Eastern Regional title by beating LC 25-16, 25-18, 25-18. The Panthers are going for their sixth state title of the decade when the state tournament begins Thursday in Kennewick. The state brackets are
here.
4. Is Issaquah the top dog? Issaquah beat Skyline 3-1 in the KingCo 4A girls soccer tournament. Skyline won the Class 4A state title last year. Issaquah won Class 3A state titles in 2004, 2006 and 2007 before moving up. The two teams are on opposite sides of the bracket as the state tournaments begin on Tuesday. The state brackets are
here.
5. Water feels fine: The state swim meets are this weekend at King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. The state meet information is
here.
Top performers
Ruby Roberts (Kingston cross country): The senior won her second Class 2A state title in three years. Her time of 18:06 was the third-best on the day. Her sister Marina finished second as Kingston, a third-year school, won the first trophy in school history.
Luke Proulx (Bothell football): The running back had 220 yards and four touchdowns as the No. 1 Cougars rolled into the state tournament with a 61-0 dismantling of Stanwood in the Class 4A state preliminary round.
Grant Gellatly (Issaquah football): Finally able to play after hamstrings injuries have hampered him all season, the running back rushed for 150 and five touchdowns as Issaquah advanced to state by beating Kentwood 41-20.
Jake Heaps (Skyline football): The BYU commit passed for 298 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another as No. 2 Skyline beat Kentridge 42-0 in the state qualifying round.
Top Tickets — State Football Edition (state brackets are
here)
No. 2 Skyline (8-2) vs. No. 7 South Kitsap (10-0): Since the preliminary round essentially made the state tournament a 32-team field, some high-powered matchups have occurred once the field is narrowed down to 16. Couple that with Skyline's loss to Bothell, and the defending Class 4A state champs travel to play the Narrows League champs, creating a juicy state opener. This game is at Mount Tahoma in Tacoma on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Central Kitsap (7-3) at No. 5 Curtis (10-0): This may seem a mismatch on paper, with the No. 3 team from the Narrows playing the South Puget Sound League South Division champs, but CK is the hottest team in the Class 4A field. CK, which made the state semifinals last year, got off to a slow start, but they've won five straight and four of those wins were shutouts, including a 35-0 beating of Mountlake Terrace last week in the preliminary round. This game is Saturday at 7 p.m.
No. 9 Marysville-Pilchuck (10-0) at No. 3 Auburn (10-0): Marysville features running back Austin Denton, who rushed for 1,919 yards and 24 carries. Auburn is playing without three of its top players, including Washington-bound running back Chris Young, who were suspended.
No. 4 Liberty (9-1) at No. 6 O'Dea (9-1): This is the top first-round matchup in the Class 3A bracket, pitting two of the top-six teams in the state. O'Dea is a traditional state power while Liberty survived playing the ultra-tough KingCo 3A/2A. This game is Friday at 7 p.m. at Seattle Memorial.
Nate's notes
This is the busiest weekend of the fall. State cross country has just wrapped up. State football is in full swing and state volleyball, soccer and swimming are all underway. You could roll out your door on Saturday morning and hit prep events from morning until night, if you were so inclined.
Nathan Joyce has been a sports writer in Washington for 12 years. He currently works at the Kitsap Sun in Bremerton.
