Set goal to become first state champs at school in 35 years
There’s a great deal of factors driving the Cheney boys’ cross country team into and through the 2024 season.
But the biggest just might be the senior class wants to go out as the group history will remember.
"We have the largest senior class in Cheney high school cross country history, 17 senior boys alone and with that comes some expectations," head boys coach Derek Slaughter said during the school's media day, Aug. 29.
That group was part of the team in 2023 that seemed to not perform up to personal expectations with a seventh-place team finish in 3A competition at state in Pasco.
Cheney's 167 points left them just shy of a podium finish, earned by Bishop Blanchet with 163 points. Seattle Prep earned the team title with 80 points while Greater Spokane League's Mt. Spokane was second with 123.
Calvin Hilton was the Blackhawks' top individual, finishing ninth in a time of 15 minutes, 53.4 seconds of the 5,000-meter course.
Summer training has been somewhat relentless with a group of those seniors pushing one another hard.
Lucas Matos ran over 700 miles, followed by Holland Hurd, Cameron Frenk and Lucas Curley 600s. Liam Franzitch, Brayden Martin and Sam Hilton all logged 500 or more.
"All in 10 weeks," Slaughter reminded.
This dedication is not just simply to have a spot on the steps at the end of the race, but a much more-lofty goal.
"They have aspirations to be the first (Cheney) state champion team since 1989," Slaughter said.
But that will take even more work Slaughter said, considering the 3A classification is arguably the toughest in the state.
"You can't really hide anymore," Slaughter said. "At the 2A level, you can hide maybe a six or seven runner or someone that didn't really run in the summer," he added.
Slaughter went on to explain that "Every 2A school has great athletes, but every 3A high school has depth."
And that seems to be one of the ingredients Cheney plans to have on hand in this unique year.
From a strategy perspective, "So I think the name of the game this year is kind of a slow, steady build in the season," Slaughter explained.
"We built the schedule that way," with the teams — both boys and girls — launching the season Sept. 7 in the Timberlake Farragut Invitational. That's followed by the Highlander Invite at Shadle Park, Sept. 14 and then the start of GSL competition, Sept. 25.
The Blackhawks boys projected top-five include Calvin Hilton, Frenk, Martin, Matos and Sam Hilton. All are seniors except Sam Hilton who is a sophomore.
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