In his four-year career at Ballard High, Zack Gussin has been the team's top cross country runner. Gussin competed in his last cross country race last Saturday in Pasco at the Class 4A State Meet, finishing in eighth place with a time of 16.06.

Gussin's rival from Skyline, Matt Frerker was .4 seconds ahead with a time of 16.02. Jeff Helmer of Jackson High was first.

The ongoing competition between Gussin and Frerker is ending, unless they both meet during the spring track and field season.

Gussin is a senior and is thinking about attending the University of Washington, Seattle University or the University of Portland. He told the News-Tribune a few weeks ago that he wanted to attend a local school and help with the younger Ballard runners.

During the KingCo District meet on November 3, Gussin earned a photo finish victory over Frerker. They both had a time of 15.18 at Lincoln Park.

Alyssa Erickson-Wayman came in sixth place at District in the girls race with at time of 19:22.

Volleyball team spiked out of post season

The season is over and the nets have come down after the Ballard Beavers lost their second KingCo league playoff game against Woodinville 3-1. Woodinville had the advantage of a high seed, allowing them play the game on their home court. Ballard was in a do or die situation after losing to Garfield earlier in the week.

Karlin Castor-Peck had nine kills and Selena Voelker contributed seven kills and ten assists. Both are seniors and have played their last games as Beavers.

On November 1, Ballard was determined to start the post-season with a victory over Garfield and to avenge a regular season loss to the Bulldogs from across town. Despite having plenty of motivation for revenge and a playoff reward, Ballard came up short 3-1. Erin Baumler lead Ballard in assists with 29. Castor-Peck had 11 kills and Voelker added 19 kills and four aces.

The Beavers finish their year with a 9-7 over record. They were 6-5 in league play.

Chavez and Day earn post season win in doubles

In boys golf, Ballard's Mitchell Chavez and Sean Day made it to the KingCo District Tournament semi-finals in doubles before losing to Avi Allison and Aron Shimeles of Garfield, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 at the Nordstrom Tennis Center on November 4.

Earlier in the week, Chavez and Day advanced with a win over a doubles team from Bothell. As a team, Ballard finished in eighth place overall with six points. Inglemoor was first with 25, Roosevelt second with 21 and Garfield third with 19.

Chavez is Ballard's number one singles player. During the off season he trains with Shimeles at the Amy Yee Tennis Center in Rainier Valley. The two are rivals, as well as good friends.

Indoor sports next for Ballard athletics

Winter sports teams are up next at Ballard High School. The sports include basketball teams lead by new head coaches. The boys will be led by former Ballard graduate Billy Rodgers. Karen Blair, formerly of Meadowdale High School takes over the girls team. Blair has earned many awards and honors for her coaching and took Meadowdale to two state championships. Also gearing up for action are gymnastics, boys swimming and wrestling.