The numbers have been doing plenty of talking for Gary Conner and the Tahoma High cross country team this fall.
Those numbers added up once again for the Bears during last week’s South Puget Sound League 4A sub-district meet at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Behind the usual front runners, the Bears raced to the boys and the girls titles, thus qualifying both teams for tomorrow’s West Central District meet, which will be held at American Lake Golf Course in Tacoma.
“We have 126 kids, so I can find some talent in there somewhere,” deadpanned Conner, who guided both teams to perfect dual-meet seasons this fall.
And the third-ranked Bears do indeed have plenty of talent.
Auburn Riverside’s Julian-Blake Cowan cruised to the individual title, traversing the serene setting in 15 minutes, 44.21 seconds. But Tahoma’s Kelton Sears and Casey Campbell weren’t too far off the mark, taking third and fourth, respectively. Sears clocked in at 16:02.73, while Campbell turned in a 16:21.55. Their performances helped the Bears run away with the team title. Tahoma totaled 55 points. Auburn Riverside, which Tahoma knocked off to end the regular season, finished a distant second with 83 points.
The top 10 teams and top 50 individuals, whether they were part of a qualifying team or not, advance to the district meet.
If the Bears continue at this clip, Conner likes his chances.
“I think we’re very legitimate,” he said. “If we race like we did (at sub-district), we can very easily win state.”
Sears and Campbell weren’t alone among Bears in the top 25. Joining the Tahoma tandem among the leaders were Phil Lussier (8th in 16:37.21); Chris Marx (18th, 16:59.30) and Jimmy Creek (22nd, 17:12.74).
The Tahoma girls were equally impressive, snagging top team honors with 58 points, followed by Curtis (89).
“Our girls are good,” Conner said. “I have four girls who can run in the No. 1 spot. Every week, it’s someone different.”
This time, however, it was Hannah Mittelstaedt’s turn.
The speedy junior secured third place, stopping the watch in 19:22.51.
Curtis stars Erika Martin and Chloe Treleven easily finished 1-2. Martin torched the course in 18:54.30. Treleven finished second in 19:06.51
The rest of the day, however, belonged to the Bears, who placed five runners among the top 25. Not too far behind Mittelstaedt was freshman Julianna Mock, who took fourth in 19:50.42. Blair Slater (14th, 20:17.85); Hannah Stump (20th, 20:23.73) and Lauren Clawson (25th, 20:37.71) rounded out the top 25 for Tahoma.
• ALSO: Kentwood put four runners among the top 50 boys, a high among Kent schools. Leading the pack was Tim Pettit (17th, 16:57.18) followed by Kevin Massimino (19th, 17:07.46); Nate Pray (43rd, 17:29.03) and Will Richmond (47th, 17:34.37). … Kentlake’s Kyle Koon was the lone Falcon to crack the top 50 among boys, taking 37th in 17:23.66. … Kentwood’s Kailey Ulland (18th, 20:22.68) and Marisa Stoick (28th, 20:47.01) led the Conk girls. … Kentlake pushed three girls into the top 50. Leading the way was Julie Williams (41st, 21:08.57), followed by Sarah Robbins (42nd, 21:09.46) and Erin Collins (49th, 21:36.36).
TENNIS: Manthou captures SPSL 4A crown
Defending state 4A singles tennis champ Max Manthou of Kentwood smashed his way through the field at the South Puget Sound League sub-district tournament last week, punching his ticket as the No. 1 seed into the West Central District tournament, which will be held in the spring.
Manthou easily handled his first three opponents, Tahoma’s Ryan Gorenson, Jarad Schraeder of Auburn Riverside and Jefferson’s Joe Lee, losing just two sets in three matches.
Manthou’s biggest challenge of the tournament came from Kentridge’s Matt Overland, who took four games from the Kentwood star. Earlier in the season, Overland, who took third at state last year, did take a set from Manthou. At sub-district, however, the Kentwood junior would not be denied.
In the title match, Manthou defeated Todd Beamer’s Joseph dela Cruz 6-1, 6-2.
Kentlake’s Taylor Welch and Kentwood’s Tucker Siegert also qualified for the district tournament.
