High School Sports Briefs

CROSS COUNTRY:

Cheney wins in two events at Highlander

Cheney cross country head coach Derek Slaughter called results from the Sept. 9 Highlander Invitational the "best ever" and for food reason.

His Blackhawks scored quite well at the race staged at Shadle Park High School in Spokane with a pair of team wins in competition arranged by class and run on a 2.5-mile course.

Led by Calvin Hilton, Cheney dominated the junior boys race with a 1-2-4 finish with the Blackhawks capturing the team title.

Hilton clocked a 12-minute, 56.28-second - fastest of the day - while Cameron Frenk (13:10.74/2nd) and Brayden Martin (13:28.66/4th) in a finish broken up by Mead's Jaedon Phillips (13:28.26)

In freshman boys Samuel Hilton, Calvin's younger brother, (13:46.60) was not far behind Jackson Bontadelli (13:39.40) from Polson, Mont. Cheney also were team champs.

For freshman girls, Isabella Adaszewski (17:42.76/4th) was behind Polson's Morgan Delaney (15:54.80).

"(It) bodes well for our future," Slaughter wrote in an email.

Other Blackhawks' notables included Ethan Martin (14:37.30, 6th) in the sophomore race won by Mead's Jonah Wiser in 13:48.80. Conor Thomsen (14:03.14/8th) was Cheney's top senior boy.

Hannah Ward (16:55.80/7th) and Maggie Boggs (16:59.27/8th) were the best junior girls for Cheney in the race won by Lewis and Clark's Katie Lubbe (15:27.64). Karlee Pope (16:34.36/7th) was the top senior for Cheney girls.

Next for Cheney is a trip Sept. 16 to Yakima for the Apple Ridge Run Invite involving 2A, 3A and 4A schools.

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Cardinal girls fifth at Hermiston

Medical Lake's very young cross country team traveled to Hermiston, Ore. to open its season Sept. 9 at the Runners' Soul XC Fest.

 The Cardinal girls' varsity team finished fifth overall out of 15 teams and first against 1A schools. Boys' runners were ninth as a team and second to College Place among 1A schools.

The girls were led by sophomore Kaylee Dennler (21:14.30/13th). Transfer Hannah Luzier "Was running a very good race when the coaches had to pull her out due to breathing problems," head coach Gene Blankenship reported.

The boys were led by Nakai Ornelas (18:34.37/25th) was the top finisher for ML in the boys' race.

The boys Frosh-Soph finish was led by Ryzick Iglesias whose 23-minute, 16.47 second time would have earned him fifth place on the varsity team.

"We are looking forward to significant improvement throughout the season," Blankenship said with their next meet Sept. 16 in the Les MacDowell Invite at Asotin, Wash.

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FOOTBALL:

Cheney seeks first grid win

Cheney (0-2 GSL) tries to rebound following their 42-28 loss Sept. 8 at Ferris (1-1) when the Blackhawks travel to Central Valley (1-1) for a 7 p.m. kickoff Sept. 15.

Cheney was tied at halftime 21-21 in the game played on the Ferris campus where special teams stood out for the Blackhawks. Camden Collins had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown while Wayne Richmond blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown.

Quarterback Sam Coffin went 13-for-25 for 177 yards and two touchdowns. Collins led the Blackhawks with three catches, 101 yards and another TD with Carter Ittner also scoring.

"The start of the game was exciting back and forth with big plays on special teams and stopping their run game and getting big plays form our offense," head coach Bobby Byrd wrote in an email. "Defensively we looked good at times but gave up a number of third and longs."

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SOCCER:

Cheney prepping for GSL league play

Cheney has been prepping for the start of Greater Spokane League play facing a run of soccer matches against the 2A portion of the league to open the season.

The Blackhawks lost 2-1 Sept. 5 to West Valley, topped Pullman 2-0, Sept. 7 and 2-1, Sept. 11 at Clarkston.

After trailing 2-0 against WV, Grace Grumbly closed the gap with her goal in the 67th minute on a free kick. Clara Browne had 11 saves for Cheney.

Alex Miller scored both Cheney goals vs. Pullman and Browne earned the shutout.

Against the Bantams, Cheney once again trailed 2-0 before Miller scored in the 68th minute.

Cheney hosts Shadle Park in one more tune-up on Sept. 14 under the lights on the football field at 6:30 p.m. before their GSL opener, Sept. 18 vs. Mt. Spokane.

Cheney's soccer field suffered damage from faulty irrigation during the summer and has not yet been ruled good to play so matches have moved and are played following football practice.

Of special note is the Sept. 20 contest with Central Valley which will be moved to Liberty High to honor seniors Grace Grumbly and Ellie Fisk who attend Liberty but have traveled to play for the Blackhawks the last four seasons.

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VOLLEYBALL:

Colville rallies past Medical Lake

Medical Lake started off well, but the finish came up short in a 3-1 Northeast A League volleyball loss Sept. 7.

The Cardinals, behind Tessa Appel's match-high seven kills won its opening set 25-20 but lost the next two by the same score and the deciding fourth 25-18 at Medical Lake.

Madi Spring had 13 assists, tops on the night while Zoe Wilson, Chiche Okemgbo and Appel each had three blocks. Trinity Auckerman had nine digs.

Medical Lake was at Freeman, Sept. 12 and returns home to meet Newport in NEA play, Sept. 15 and Reardan in a non-league outing Sept. 16.