Cross country season opens with wins

BOISE, Idaho — Cheney cross country jumped back into competition last week with the start of Greater Spokane League competition as well as an elite race in Boise, Idaho.

The Blackhawks GSL opener took place at Mead High School but on a day where serious windstorm was passing through the area and caused its share of havoc.

“It was a weird day with delayed races and the JV and varsity girls ran with the varsity boys to beat the sunset after the weather delay,” head coach Derek Slaughter wrote in an email.

Cheney boys lost to host Mead (25-30) but beat Gonzaga Prep (30-89) and Central Valley (30-91). Cheney’s girls lost to Prep (24-62) and Mead (40-62).

Cameron Frenk’s 16:17.59 was runner up to the 16:10.66 from Mead’s Jonah Wiser. Cheney put four runners in the top-10, including Samuel Hilton (4th/16:42.46), Holland Hurd (5th/16:49.36), Brayden Martin (9th/17:11.51) and Liam Frantzich

(10th/17:29.00).

In the girls competition, Abigail Scharosch (21:27.49/10th) was the top finisher being winner, Erin McMahon from G-Prep who ran 19:52.12. “Abigail Scharosch has been lights out so far,” Slaughter said.

At the Bob Firman

Invite, Cheney faced off against some of the top competition in the region — and beyond. The event attracted over 2,000 competitors.

“The varsity boys were in the Elite race and faced the No. 1 team in the nation (Herriman from Utah),” Slaughter pointed put. “First time in school history. They finished 16th place in a really close battle for the top 10 teams,” he added.

Cheney’s girls were No. 11 (277) behind team champ Box Elder (107) with the freshman, Scharosch, again the top Blackhawks’ individual (No. 27/20:55.2) behind yet another freshman, Bridget Smit from Brighton High in Utah at 18:26.2.

The Blackhawk boys landed in 16th (332) behind Herriman (29) and were led by Frenk (51st/16:09.7).

“Cameron Frenk, Sam Hilton and Brayden Martin really stepped up on a hot and challenging day,” Slaughter said. “It is a confidence boost for the team inching closer to being fully healthy.”

It’s another busy week with both GSL competition, Oct. 2 vs. Shadle and University at Cheney followed by the 7th Annual Battle for the 509 all day Saturday at the Spokane Polo Grounds in Airway Heights.