Cross Country Roads: All Paths Lead to Pasco

State Run — Local athletes from 3A to 1B punch their tickets to Sun Willows

Photo by James Lee on Unsplash

Don Schaplow for Blast Zone Media

3A District 3-4 Championships

Kelso Kids Kick Up Dust En Route to Pasco

The Lads in Plaid placed 7^th last week at the bi-District 3/4 Cross Country Championships, earning the final team spot as they qualified for State next Saturday at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

“They really ponied up and competed today,” said coach Tim Wines. “I’m so proud of them. They just really rose to the challenge.”

Kelso scored 207 points as Central Kitsap placed first with 50. Jax Corvin of Lakes broke the tape first at 16:03.

Jesus Rios was the top Kelso finisher placing 21^st (17:03). Along with Rios, Will Cheslock, Owen Gallagher, Collin Caballero, Nolan Cox, Wesley Leeper and Marcelo Samaniego will represent the Hilanders at State.

Kelso’s Mia Johnson and Aurora Hiebert each will compete at State as well, qualifying as individuals. Johnson placed 29^th (21:11) for the Lassies, while freshman Hiebert PR’d to place 45^th (22:12). Both will return next season joining a squad of young returners.

This year’s Kelso girls team will only lose one senior, Madison Fowler. The Lassies placed 8^th as a team with 259 points just missing the 7^th place position.

“They have just come so far this season,” said Wines. “They just ran out of their heads today, battled hard and I really couldn’t have asked for more. I’m just so proud.”

Peninsula’s Elektra Higgins won the meet finishing at 17:48. 

2A District IV Championships

MM Boys and Lumberjills Hop the Train to Sun Willows

The Mark Morris boys cross country team poses for a photo after clinching a berth to the State Meet with a second place finish in the 2A District IV race on Halloween. — Mark Brumbaugh / Mark Morris Athletics

The Mark Morris boys and R.A. Long girls teams both qualified for State in strong fashion on Halloween to advance to the State Meet next Saturday in Pasco.