| Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley | | | | Matt Davis. |
| Gonzaga University Athletic Director Mike Roth made | | | | Tyson's harrier squads posted an amazing dual meet |
| the most astute move since the hiring of Mark Few as | | | | record of 145-6 in cross-country competition. No slouch |
| his basketball coach by recently hiring legendary high | | | | himself, Tyson competed with Steve "Pre" Prefontaine |
| school coach Pat Tyson as Gonzaga's first full-time | | | | at the University of Oregon and clocked a 13:37 in the |
| running coach. | | | | 3-mile and a 28:34 in the 6-mile. He was a walk-on |
| Roth could not have found a better choice than Tyson, | | | | after graduating from Lincoln High School in Tacoma |
| who has not yet had a full-time opportunity to run a | | | | (WA). |
| complete college cross-country and track and field | | | | Tyson was Pre's roommate at Oregon, but far more |
| program. | | | | important, he was a member of the 1971 Duck |
| Tyson just completed the spring season as the track | | | | cross-country team that won the NCAA national |
| coach for South Eugene High School in Oregon. He | | | | championship. |
| spent last season coaching the cross-country teams | | | | The spillover effect of Tyson's personality, accessibility |
| and distance runners at the University of Kentucky. | | | | and passion for running positively influenced Mead |
| Apparently his coaching methods did not go over as | | | | runners and brought students into the program that |
| well in the south as in the Pacific Northwest, where he | | | | may otherwise have never been involved in athletics. |
| built a sterling reputation for success in Eastern | | | | Students who also might have played other sports |
| Washington at Mead High School. In 19 years-from | | | | only to ride the bench came into Tyson's program |
| 1986 through 2004-Tyson's Panthers produced 12 | | | | because they could compete rather than watch their |
| state cross-country titles, 9 individual cross-country | | | | teammates win. |
| champions, and 17 individual track middle distance | | | | Tyson's philosophy and system became infectious in |
| champions at 1,600 and 3,200 meters. | | | | the Greater Spokane League. A league that had done |
| To show how dominate Mead was, I was near the | | | | well spawned other teams that won state titles when |
| finish line at the 1993 state cross-country meet in | | | | Mead did not. Beginning in 1988 with the first of Tyson's |
| Pasco (WA) when the Panthers made a statement in | | | | 12 Mead cross-country championships, the Greater |
| the 5,000 meters (3.1 miles) like nothing I have ever | | | | Spokane League has won EVERY 4A championship |
| seen in state competition. First across the line was | | | | since then. |
| Matt Davis in 14:09.3 , followed by his brother Micah | | | | The fact that Pat Tyson is returning to the Great |
| Davis in 14:46, followed by Rob Aubrey in third at 14:48, | | | | Pacific Northwest to coach at Gonzaga University is |
| then Greg James finished 8th in 15:13.9 and Skiy De | | | | great news for prep runners in Washington, Oregon |
| Tray finished 28th in 15:43. Matt Davis set a course | | | | and Idaho. Great high school runners will follow Tyson |
| record and won this third consecutive state | | | | to Gonzaga like bees to honey. |
| cross-country title. | | | | Pat Tyson does not only eat, sleep and live running 24 |
| Mead runners in blue and gold streamed past in a | | | | hours a day, he is not only a high school coach with no |
| 1-2-3-8-28 finish and won with 31 points. Mead's | | | | peer, he is a coaching legend before he starts. |
| slowest scoring runner was 15:43! It was the year that | | | | Gonzaga is about to make an impact in running like it |
| Mead won its 6th straight title under Pat Tyson's reign. | | | | did in basketball. |
| Kennewick finished as runner-up with 102 points. | | | | Read my articles on "Want a Six-Figure Income |
| Mead's all-time record holder for the 1,600 and 3,200 is | | | | Without Getting a College Degree of Any Kind? Here |
| Chris Lewis, who set the marks in 1989 by running | | | | Is How", "The Biggest Mistake Potential Hires Make |
| 4:04.6 and 8:50.65. Not many schools have runners | | | | While Interviewing for a Job" and "Before You |
| who could keep up with the likes of Chris Lewis or | | | | Interview, Learn and Practice Ed's "Zip a Lip" Theory". |