Blackhawks runners have easy time in Clarkston at GNL meet

By JOHN McCALLUM

Managing Editor

The Cheney High boys cross country team ran its Great Northern League record to 2-0 with a relatively easy 23-38 win last Wednesday at Clarkston, while the Blackhawk girls collected their first league win by essentially running against themselves.

The Bantams fielded no runners in the girls race at Beachview Park. Marion Mager-Reeser led Cheney with a first-place finish of 23 minutes, 27.58 seconds, and was followed by Alexia Batchelor in 23:36.61, Mayah Spakousky in 23:37.94, Ryleigh Bowes in 23:41.49 and Megan Habegger in 23:44.49 to round out the top five.

Camber Moad was sixth in 23:46.33 and Anna Richardson was seventh in 24:04.58 for the varsity.

The boys had a bit more a duel, if only briefly. Julian Torres was first in 17:26.11, but was chased fairly closely by the Bantams’ Ben Bunce and Mick Brown. The Blackhawks followed with the remaining six varsity runners taking up positions 4-9 for the win.

Andres Margraf was fourth in a time of 18:08.26, followed by Kyle Peabody (18:25.78), Tucker Cunningham (18:37.69) and Beckett Schoenleber (18:43.53) rounding out the top five. Chayce Crawford was eighth in 18:55.71 and Charles Cindric ninth in 18:57.90.

The Blackhawks traveled to Missoula, Mont. on Saturday to compete in the Mountain West Classic, their final large multi-team meet prior to districts in just over two weeks. The varsity boys came in 21st in a field of 38 while the girls were 36th in field of 52 that included high school and middle school teams from Montana, Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Bas Holland led all Cheney placers, coming in 14th in the varsity field of 333 with a time of 16:27.4. Holland was followed by Torres in 131st (17:49.1), Schoenleber in 138th (17:51.9), Newbry in 164th (18:06.8) and Margraf in 200th (18:22.9) to complete the Blackhawks scoring. Peabody was 224th and Cunningham was 244th.

Mager-Reeser was out front for the Cheney girls, finishing 123rd in 21:17.1 in the field of 333. Spakousky was 196th (22:22.0), Bowes 205th (22:32.7), Batchelor 220th (22:47.8) and Richardson 231 (22:53.5). Habegger was 247th and Caelyn Foster 265th.

Cheney’s boys were the highest placers among the other GNL schools making the trip — West Valley (27th) and East Valley (35th). Greater Spokane League schools Lewis and Clark and Central Valley finished 1-2 respectively.

West Valley’s girls finished 22nd.

The Blackhawks wrap up their regular season the next two Wednesdays with home meets against league opponents. Cheney faced West Valley on Oct. 3 and hosts Pullman on Oct. 10, Senior Day. Both meets are at Salnave Park.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.