Saratoga News

Kniskern finishes fine season at state meet

By Dick Sparrer

Tom Smith wasn't expecting Laura Kniskern to compete for a title at the state high school cross-country finals last weekend.

But the Prospect coach was hoping that the talented sophomore would gain some valuable experience when she competed with the state's best at Woodward Park in Fresno.

She certainly did that.

Kniskern represented her school well at the state finals, ending up 140th in the girls' Division I field. She covered the 3.1-mile course in 21:36.

Kniskern had qualified for the state meet by finishing ninth in her division at the Central Coast Section finals. She is the first Prospect sophomore to ever qualify for state.

"All of her hard work paid off," said Smith. "She got a real good feel for it [this year]. Next year she should really be on top in terms of her talent."

Smith feels the future looks bright for Kniskern. But he not only expects her to return to state in 1998, he figures she should have a little company on the trip.

"I think our team has a legitimate chance of going to state," Smith said, looking at a talented crop of returners from this year's league championship squad.

The Panthers were unbeaten in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, winning their second straight league crown. They finished third overall in the BVAL, placing above six teams in the "A" division, and they ended up fifth at the CCS finals.

Kniskern will top a solid crew of all-league returners at Prospect next fall. She earned an all-league spot by finishing second in the league meet. Junior Mariko Yoshihara was third, with junior Sarah Yarnall fourth, sophomore Elizabeth Giles fifth, junior Alison Prehn 14th and junior Kristi Ciangemella 15h. The top 15 finishers in the league meet make up the all-league team.

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