Cheney cross country shakes off the rust

For Cheney cross country co-coach Derek Slaughter there's the sense of 2022 being a restart for many of his program's runners.

Working with counterpart Camille Moseley, the pair will attempt to shake off the rust that remains from the many delays and cancellations surrounding COVID-19.

"A lot of the kids had not really had competitive running because of COVID," Slaughter explained. "So, our freshmen coming in didn't have competitive sports since sixth grade, our juniors and seniors hadn't had a postseason in over two years."

For coaches, it's not a bad thing, we had that kind of reset a few things, said Slaughter, who has coached at Cheney for nine years, said.

On the girls' side, the Blackhawks were very young, but that plays perfectly in that Slaughter and Moseley – herself a 10-plus year vet at CHS - have a few years to work with the group.

"Unfortunately, on the guys' side, we had some really talented seniors that I wish I had one more year with because they're some of the best ever had," Slaughter said.

The Blackhawks' top girl returner is Sam Habegger, a senior who placed No. 82 at the 2021 state championships.

And if last track season is any indicator what she's going to do with her senior season in cross country Habegger is going to be one of the tops in the state, Slaughter suggested.

"She went from like a 2:25 down or 2:21 in the 800-yard, PR'd (personal record) in the mile, had PRs in the two mile and kind of got it; like she had that aha moment of what the work that you need to put in," Slaughter explained.

There's a trio of girls behind Habegger including Mika Cornel, Nia Guest and Tenaya Belsby. But they are more than athletes. "These girls are academically amazing, they're in all the clubs, they're on ASB you know, they're not just good cross country kids," Slaughter said.

Cheney's two state placers, Dylon Thornburg and Luke Hurd, both graduated so among the up-and-coming runners on the boys' side are Calvin Hilton and Adam Estock. Hilton made it to the 3A state championships in track as a freshman in the two-mile.

"Those two guys know without a doubt that they are championship style runners," Slaughter said.

Finally, Slaughter has his eye on another young athlete in freshman wheelchair athlete Caitlin Shaffer. "We are really excited to coach her this year and be in the running for a wheelchair state championship at the end of the season," he said.

Cheney kicks off training on Aug. 20 and starts the 2022 schedule Sept. 10 at the Highlander Invitational at Shadle Park High School in Spokane.

Paul Delaney is a retired Free Press Publishing reporter and can be reached at [email protected].