3A boys cross country: Bishop Blanchet takes back title

PASCO — As the team placings were being counted down and awards being handed out, the Bishop Blanchet boys cross-country team waited and hoped.

Then, the announcer called out, "In second place, North Central of Spokane," and at that moment, the Braves knew and the celebration began.

Blanchet won its third state championship in four years, edging North Central 79 points to 85 at Sun Willows Golf Course. East Valley of Spokane (121) was third and Seattle Prep (128) fourth.

"That is one of the greatest feelings," said third-place finisher Chris Ahl of Blanchet. "Just like in '02, we didn't know until they called us up there, not a clue. That's just the greatest feelings you can have."

After West Valley of Spokane won the title last year, Blanchet's seniors resolved to win it this season.

On the podium, senior co-captain Tommy Stover sported a shirt that read, "We want it back."

"The seniors had it as their goal since last year. They wanted the state title," said Blanchet coach John O'Leary, who has won two state titles in his three years as head coach. "I tried as much as I could to downplay it, but this was what they wanted."

Lindbergh's Sam Ahlbeck held off Seattle Prep sophomore Max O'Donoghue-McDonald to win the individual title with a time of 15 minutes, 45 seconds on the 3.1-mile course.

Ahlbeck, a senior, led most of the race with O'Donoghue-McDonald just behind. Ahlbeck had enough to fight off the Seattle Prep runner's charge.

"This is my last one, this is my last state (meet)," said Ahlbeck, who was seventh last year. "In my last 200 meters I was thinking, 'I'll never get this moment back. I don't want to leave and want something more.' I wanted to be number one real bad. Real bad."

Despite his best efforts, O'Donoghue-McDonald couldn't pull Ahlbeck in.

"I wanted first place pretty bad," said the Sea-King District champion. "I ran the best race I could. He just ran two seconds faster. I felt strong all the way through, but I could never catch him. Whenever I tried to go, he surged ahead. I tried my best, but give him credit."

Brian Govier of Mercer Island finished sixth, just behind fifth-place teammate Brandon Fellows. Govier, a senior, won last year's state meet.