Deal Comes Down With Flu, Places 16th

WAITSBURG - An unexpected bout of the flu hit WP's star runner Seth Deal at the state competition on Saturday in Pasco and Deal placed 16th of 140 boys in the 5,000-meter race.

Coach Joanna Lanning said Deal didn't know he was going to be ill and ended up vomiting and dry heaving during Saturday's race throughout the whole course. He finished in 17:08.

"It's just amazing what he accomplished," Lanning said. "That's part of the way life is sometimes."

Lucas Graham from Northwest Christian-Lacey placed first in the race with a time of 16:17.

WP's other state runner was E.J. Meserve, who placed 58th with a time of 18:41. This was a big success for Meserve because he placed 91st or 92nd the previous year, Lanning said.

With this year's progress, Lanning has high hopes for Meserve.

"Hopefully he'll be on the podium if not next year, his senior year," she said.

And much like the feeling Lanning had when Meserve and Deal qualified for state at districts the week before but Trent Hafen did not, Lanning said she is again torn, feeling happy for Meserve and unhappy for Deal and his down luck.

"You're excited for one, but sad for the other," she said.

The weather on Saturday was sunny and cool with no wind, perfect for the race, she said.

And now that the 2011 season is complete, Lanning is already thinking about next year. Deal will be a senior and Meserve will be a junior. She hopes to recruit a few more boys next year so she can have an entire team to compete with for Deal's last year.

"I'm hopeful next year will be another great season," she said. "This was just a great season, with terrific kids, and I'm looking forward to next year."