Wolves are ready to run
Hardly in anyone's shadow, Sequim's girls cross-country team is expected to place high at the State AA meet. Stephanie Marcy (left center), Heather Smith (center), Laura Moser (second from right) and Chase Shoemaker (right, help make the Wolves a formidable team.
Michael Dashiell
Staff Writer
Shane Dinius is smiling now, but truth be told, he'd rather be running. His coach would rather have him running as well, but the senior and Sequim's best bet to make a run at the Washington state 2A cross country title is sidelined with a metatarsal injury (i.e. a foot bone).
If he'd kept running on it, he'd get a stress fracture and be out for the season, says Harold Huff. Now, Dinius' first race will be either the Olympic League Championship or district 2A meet before state.
Seems like the only thing slowing the Wolves down these days are themselves.
After seeing his boys' team improve each of the past three years and his girls simply dominate a weaker Nisqually League, Huff spies the 2006 season with confidence. After all, Sequim's girls are ranked No. 2 in the Washington state High School Cross Country Coaches' pre-season poll, just behind Bellingham, while the boys' team — minus the injury to Dinius — needs someone to lead while Dinius recuperates.
Heading the charge for the girls is Stephanie Marcy, who is an early odds-on favorite to take the girls' 2A title. She ran a blistering pace at last year's state 3A meet at 18:27, a second-place finish, just two seconds behind winner (and defending state champ) Michelle Schubert of West Valley (Yakima).
Not just a one-trick pony, the girls' team took seventh at state as a team and, with the drop in classification, seems to be a good bet to take a top-3 spot. Each of Sequim's state runners — Chase Shoemaker (53rd at state last year), Laura Moser (75th), Christina Bruce (78th), Hannah Ohnstad (88th), Heather Smith (100th) and Jen Bruce (110th) are back. Add to the mix Kathryn Roeber, Breck Barnes and promising young freshman Zoei Zbaraschuk, each of whom may push for a top-five spot.
"The girls will be the favorite to win league districts, and I think we're a top-three team at state. I just don't know how good (top competitor) Sehome is," Huff said.
On the boys' side, Dinius is a stalwart when healthy. He took 14th at last year's district meet and finished 98th overall at the state meet in Pasco last fall. Until his foot heals, Dinius said he plans to keep in aerobic shape on a bike.
Until then, the Wolves will look to sophomore Kenney Russell and steady racers like Chris Gish, Cory Parrish and Alex Clifford. Chris Consoliver may also challenge for a top-five spot.
"I think we'll be in the middle of the pack in league without Shane," Huff said. "With Shane at districts, we've got an outside chance to go to state. We've got great guy runners, but they're young. They're two years away. Kenny and Cory will be there and so will Breck (Gault), but those guys have to step it up."
After four straight trips to state, Sequim's girls may not be challenged much in regular season meets. The Salt Creek Invitational, slated for Sept. 16, often brings top competition and help sharpen both girls and boys teams for the playoffs. Look for Sequim to test the best in the region at the Seaside Three-Course Challenge Sept. 23 in Oregon.
Sequim only gets one home meet this fall, an Oct. 5 date against Bremerton, North Mason and Port Townsend.