Dean Wong

Ballard's Zack Gussin been a dominant cross country for the Beavers the last four years and his competitors won't miss him when he graduates in June. Opposing runners wouldn't recognize his face on the street because they're used to staring at his back as he pulls away from them in races.

Gussin pulled off another victory last Thursday running on a familiar course, Lincoln Park.

The fleet footed senior helped the Ballard boy's team (27 points) beat Roosevelt (46), Garfield (47) and Franklin (50).

Gussin finished with a time of 15:42. Other Ballard runners had good races also. Mason Watt was fifth at 16:36. Brad Carr was sixth at 16:42. Alex Barkley was seventh at 16.53.

Last year, Gussin was seventh at state and hopes to improve on that performance this season.

"I want to do well in state, in the top two or three, that's all you can really hope for," said Gussin.

"He could win state, he has that kind of talent and is in good shape. He never lacks confidence," said Ballard Head Coach Bruce Drager.

Watt, a senior has been coming on strong after overcoming some injuries. "He has the potential, works hard and has ability. Next to Zack, he's the most talented runner in the league," said Drager.

"I'm doing pretty well. I've been doing speed work for endurance," said Watt.

Drager says the Ballard boys are the top KingCo team despite the injury bug. "We've been dinged up badly the last couple of meets. If we get healthy, we are unstoppable. We have a bunch of talented runners," he said.

The top teams are Ballard, Skyline, Bothell and Woodinville.

Drager has confidence in his boy's team. "Our team is the best in the league. They will prove it next week at districts," he said.

He credits Assistant Coach Bob Mirenzi with bringing both the boys and the girls along the road to improvement.

As a team, the Ballard girls were first with 26 points last week. Roosevelt (29), Garfield (71) and Franklin (84) finished in that order.

Individually, Erickson-Wayman was second at 19.33. Maran McCash was fourth at 20.38, Bridgett Berg was fifth at 20.39. Maddy Lee was eighth at 21.40.

The girls team has the talent, but faces formidable opposition in KingCo.

The Beaver girls have finished third in KingCo for four years. Only the top two teams advance to state.

Top girl teams include Eastlake, Redmond, Skyline and Roosevelt.

"It's going to be tough to break into the top two," said Drager.

Ally Erickson-Wayman was last season 's KingCo cross-country girl's champion. This year other league runners ran faster than expected.

Erickson-Wayman has run a best time of 19.5. Five competitors in the league have posted 18.30 times this year.

"It's pretty competitive. A lot of girls have sub-19 times. It's going to take quite a bit to beat them. It's going to take shaving off a lot of time," said Erickson-Wayman, who has been talking to college coaches to decide where she will attend school after Ballard.

Gussin is looking at the University of Washington, Seattle University or the University of Portland for the next step in his running career.

"I'm real excited for life after cross country, I hope there is more cross country," said Gussin.

He prefers to go to a local school so he can maintain his relationship to the Beaver program.

"I want to stay involved with Ballard. The team has done a lot for me and I would like to give some of that back. The juniors and sophomores have given so much to me, it makes sense to come and help them when it's their turn to shine," said Gussin.

The KingCo Championship meet is at Lincoln Park on October 27.