Cross country: The galloping gourmet — Chris Lukezic

CHRIS LUKEZIC of Auburn is hot stuff in the kitchen and on the cross-country course, where he hopes to not only win the state 4A championship Saturday, but break the meet record while doing it.

AUBURN — Chris Lukezic sizzles on the race course and in the kitchen.

When he's not cooking up a delicate strategy for the next big cross-country meet, he's concocting delicacies for the next big meal. When Wake Forest University Coach Gary Siebers made a recent recruiting visit, Lukezic put together a lavish spread that featured baked salmon on a cedar plank.

"He puts me to shame," said his mother, Jackie.

The Auburn High School senior has put plenty of runners to shame this season, too, and is among the favorites heading into the Class 4A state championships Saturday in Pasco. With a dash of speed, a pinch of passion and a heavy dose of work ethic, Lukezic possesses the perfect recipe for success. When he takes on a new venture — from running to making jewelry to cooking — he pours his heart and soul into it.

"If I'm going to do something, it's usually with a lot of passion," he said, adding he is a devout Christian who uses his running success to glorify God.

Lukezic doesn't back down from any challenge, especially the ones he gives himself.

"He sets goals and he meets them," Auburn Coach Greg Isham said. "He's disciplined enough and has the talent and drive to accomplish what he sets his mind to."

This week, Lukezic has his mind set on not just winning the state title, but shattering the boys state-meet record for 3.1 miles of 15 minutes, 10 seconds, by Adam Tenforde of Class 3A Hanford in 1998.

"I'm going in planning to win," he said. "I want to go out and break 15 minutes and anyone who wants to run that fast is welcome to run with me."

If that sounds ambitious, wait until you hear his plans for the track season: a sub-4-minute mile. In between, Lukezic has his eye on a 5K national championship. He and teammate Tyler Campbell will compete in the Foot Locker Regionals in California the first weekend of December, with the top eight qualifying for nationals in Florida the following weekend.

Lukezic established himself as one of the top high-school runners in the country last spring at the state meet. Although he didn't win the 3,200 meters at Star Track, his 8:57 was the best ever in Washington by a junior. At the Oregon/Washington Track Classic, he ran a 4:08 mile — the mark he had carved into the wall next to his bed as his goal, much to his mother's chagrin.

"The season worked out perfectly," Lukezic said. "I peaked at the right time."

And his times made him the fastest returning high-school senior in the country, giving him numerous scholarship opportunities.

"He's like the Paul Arnold of the high-school running world," Isham said, referring to the former Kennedy High running back now playing football for the Washington Huskies.

Lukezic, a 3.87 student, has narrowed his college choices to Georgetown and Stanford. His girlfriend, former Newport High star Jodee Adams-Moore, is a freshman at Georgetown, but Lukezic said that will have had no bearing on his decision.

Lukezic and Adams-Moore spent much of the summer dining at some of the area's finer restaurants. Among his favorites are the Painted Table, Icon Grill and Dahlia Lounge. He hopes to someday own his own restaurant and be head chef. Of course, that would be after competing in the 2008 Olympics. Lukezic figures he might not be ready by the 2004 Olympics, but he plans to at least qualify for the U.S. Trials.

Not bad for a guy who didn't really start running until the spring of his freshman year, and only then because he wanted to compete in a triathlon. Lukezic was breezing through his first 3-mile training run when he decided to turn up the heat.

"I just kind of took off and wound up beating everybody back to school," he said. "Everything just took off from there."

The only time this fall Lukezic didn't beat everyone to the finish was last month at the Great American Championships, which drew some of the top prep runners in the nation. Many expected him to win, but Lukezic wound up fifth.

"I was the race favorite going in, so it was kind of disappointing not to win with everyone watching," he said. "But I got to check out the competition."

Some of Lukezic's closest competition comes from Campbell, his teammate. The two finished 1-3 at the District 3-4 meet last week and hope for even better performances at state. Lukezic believes his buddy could finish second.

"That would be incredible," Campbell said. "That's my ultimate goal."

The state cross-country meet hasn't been kind to Lukezic in the past. He was 34th as a sophomore and failed to earn a medal last year, finishing 13th.

This time, he's out to claim his just desserts.

"I don't think he's going to let his one get away," his mom said.

INFORMATION

State cross-country championships

Where — Sun Willows Golf Course, Pasco.

When — Saturday; wheelchair race, 9:30 a.m.; Class A-B girls, 10 a.m.; 2A girls, 10:30 a.m.; 3A girls, 11 a.m.; 4A girls, 11:30 a.m.; A-B boys, noon; 2A boys, 12:30 p.m.; 3A boys, 1 p.m.; 4A boys, 1:30 p.m.