All Big Bend: Blocker, Bryant, Gowan, Droze

The coaches look very familiar, but the top runners are new. Scott Gowan and Gary Droze were named the boys and girls cross country coaches of the year. The two have won a bundle of Bend Coach of the Year awards, both in cross country and in track. Julia Bryant and Jonathan Blocker were named the runners of the year.

Bryant and Blocker both run for Gowan at Chiles and both should be back next year. Bryant, who finished seventh at the state meet, ran an area best time of 19:02 and is just a sophomore. Blocker won every local race he contested this year and finished third at the state meet. He is a junior and his season best time was 15:39.

The Maclay girls team took third place in the state meet despite the fact their oldest scoring runner was a sophomore. Adrianna Piekarewicz (So.), Alicia Fenley (7th) and Katy Swain (Fr.) all made the first team All Big Bend team. The second team was also dotted with Maclay ladies as Elena Villa, Lindsey Sanders and Hannah Hiupalo all made the team.

Gowan’s boys team was also young but finished seventh in the state in class AAA. Everyone is eligible to return. Four runners made the first team – Jonathan Blocker (Jr.), Chris Lake (So.), Daniel Miletich (Fr.) and Kevin Lane (So.).

The full First teams were:

Jonathan Blocker, Chiles (Jr.) 15:39
Brennon Clayton, Maclay (Sr.) 16:25
Joseph Franklin, Godby (Fr.) 17:16
Chris Lake, Chiles (So.) 16:52
Daniel Miletich, Chiles (Fr.) 16:54
Kevin Lane, Chiles (So.) 17:10
Casey Clayton, Maclay (So.) 17:06

Julia Bryant, Chiles (So.) 19:02
Alicia Fenley, Maclay (7th) 19:05
Adriana Piekarewicz, Maclay (So.) 19:20
Kelly Savery, Chiles (Jr.) 19:35
Katy Swain, Maclay (So.) 19:55
Heather Bailey, Chiles (Sr.) 19:56
Laura Hempel, Rickards (Fr.) 20:04