<< Previous   of   Next >> For the Enterprise/Daniel Berman  (click to enlarge) King's High School runner Griffin McGinley runs during a cross country meet at Woolsey Stadium Saturday Sept. 27, 2008. (click to enlarge) For the Enterprise/Daniel Berman The girls Kings High School cross country team huddles and prays prior to their meet Saturday Sept. 27, 2008. Shoreline, WA (click to enlarge) For the Enterprise/Daniel Berman Kings High School runner Olivia Thomas runs during a cross country meet Saturday Sept. 27, 2008. Shoreline, WA (click to enlarge) For the Enterprise/Daniel Berman Kings High School runner Brandon Dean runs during a cross country meet at Woolsey Stadium Saturday Sept. 27, 2008. Shoreline, WA

ADVERTISEMENT

CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE David Pan, Sports editor entsports@heraldnet.com Tony Dondero, Asst. Sports editor entsports@heraldnet.com

King's girls poised for threepeat in Pasco

Girls ranked No. 1 in 1A, boys fourth

By Tony Dondero
Enterprise reporter

Are Olivia Thomas and the King's girls cross country team unstoppable? The Knights, ranked No. 1 in Class 1A, are the two-time defending state champions. Thomas, the defending state 5-kilometer champion, has been visiting colleges on the East Coast, mainly Ivy League schools such as Yale.

A third straight team title is in the works come November in Pasco.

"We're definitely running faster this year at this point with the promise of being even better," coach Rod Wilcox said.

But Thomas, who burst on the cross country scene as a wide-eyed freshman four years ago, will have another up-and-coming freshman to contend with: Maddie Meyers of Northwest School in Bellevue.

Thomas's time of 19 minutes, 24.29 seconds at the South Whidbey Invitational is the best in 1A so far this season but it's not much better than Meyers mark of 19:25.

Last year Thomas won state for the first time with a time of 19:16.

"We'll see what happens when it comes to state," said Thomas, who would like to get her personal record down to 19 flat if she can.

The Knights lost two seniors Megan Northey and Becca Thompson off last year's team but retool with most of the top runners back.

"The five that we have (coming back) are as good or better, and are definitely running really good right now," Wilcox said.

Junior Adele Eslinger, who finished 26th at state last year, swam and ran over the summer and has trained harder in preparation for this season.

"I'd like to get on the podium this year," said Eslinger, who placed 12th as a freshman.

Junior Morgan Hamm, who finished 12th at state last year, is back as well as senior Lauresa Smith (28th last year at state) and junior Makenzie Taylor.

LaCenter, the No. 2-ranked team in the state in 1A will be King's biggest challenge, but the Knights are heavy favorites, barring injuries.

Freshman Sami McDevitt, is battling a patella tendon injury, but should contribute to the varsity when she improves, Wilcox said.

The Cascade Conference is always tough with some of the top 2A teams in the state. Cedarcrest is ranked third in 2A, and South Whidbey is ranked sixth, and Lakewood, is "quickly improving," under veteran coach Jeff Sowards.

"It's going to be a battle and we're definitely not favored," Wilcox said. "The last two years we won state we didn't win league (South Whidbey won the last two league titles)."

"That's the benefit of being in this league it will be a challenge," Wilcox said. "If we stay healthy and keep reaching goals we can achieve great things. We're definitely improved from last year."

The King's boys look to improve this year after not making state for the first time in 16 years last year, said senior captain Brandon Dean. The Knights are ranked fourth in the state in 1A behind Port Townsend, Charles Wright and Lynden Christian, which are all in the same tri-district as King's. Five teams qualify for state out of the tri-district, however, so the Knights figure to have a good shot.

"Our Tri-district is the toughest in the state," Wilcox said. "If you make it to state you're going to be in the top eight."

Dean is the top returner after placing 16th at state last year in 17:40. He fractured his hip at state last year and had to have surgery but is back at full strength. The No. 2 runner is senior Griffin McGinley, who moved to Missouri last year, but is back now. He ran a 18:08 at South Whidbey. Senior Phillip Mach, junior Nate Faubion and junior Nick Lowe-Hill are within the 18:40 range. "Even though we don't have a team of superstars we have a solid team," Dean said.

Newcomers include freshman Hap Emmons and sophomore Ryan Gamache.

"It looks good but we've got some work to do," Wilcox said.