Cross Country | Jackson boys chasing state title

MILL CREEK — New teams emerge, but every year the Class 4A state boys cross-country title ends up in the same city.

Spokane schools Mead, Ferris and University have combined to win the last 20 meets. No team west of the Cascades has won since Bishop Blanchet in 1986.

Jackson of Mill Creek is this year's hottest contender to end Spokane's reign. The Timberwolves have overcome key injuries to become the top-ranked 4A boys team for the first time, and they are primed to give the championship trophy a new home.

"We're confident that we have a good shot at this," said senior Ben Lance, the Northwest 4A District champion. "We know nothing's going to be given to us, though. We have to have a good performance, just like we've been doing all season."

At district last week, the Timberwolves placed all seven runners in the top 16, including three in the top five. At the WesCo championships, Jackson had five of the top seven in the South Division race.

"It's been a fun ride," said coach Eric Hrushka, whose team finished fifth at state last year and is ranked 23rd nationally in one poll.

The fun would become disenchantment, however, if Jackson falls short at Pasco's Sun Willows Golf Course on Saturday.

"We've been a positive group, but if we don't win — even if we feel good about our race — I'm sure there would be disappointment," Hrushka said.

The Timberwolves' 2008 season didn't get off to a championship start. Two top runners were injured before school started.

Over the summer, junior Mitchell Briggs, who finished seventh at state last year, had to stop running due to soreness in his hip. At about the same time, senior Derek Woolsey nearly suffered a stress fracture in his shin.

The two missed weeks of practice, but were able to cross-train together by biking and swimming to stay in shape.

"Being hurt at the same time actually helped us because we could push each other harder in cross-training than we would've gone individually," said Briggs, who says he's close to 100-percent healthy.

The absence of Briggs and Woolsey forced a young team to mature quickly. Hrushka credits Lance in keeping the short-handed Timberwolves focused and competitive.

"He did everything that was asked of him in maturity and leadership, and he was rewarded with a district title," Hrushka said.

Jackson's strength is its depth. At the WesCo championships, the gap between the first and fifth runners was 19 seconds.

Last week, senior Ian McLeod shocked his team with a third at district, and junior Connor Frederickson finished in the top five the league and district meets.

"We knew we'd be pretty good, but we've surprised ourselves," Briggs said.

Jackson's best performances this season have come in the biggest meets. At the Stanford Invitational in California, one of the biggest on the West Coast, the Timberwolves finished second, with five runners in the top 50. A couple of weeks later they finished second at the Richland Invitational to the country's top-ranked team, 3A North Central of Spokane.

"It wasn't until those meets that we looked like a top team," said Hrushka.

Jackson hasn't lost since.

"At the end of state last year we set some goals and worked hard to get where we are," Lance said. "We're ready to go."