Cross Country Roads: All Paths Lead to Pasco
State Run — Local athletes from 3A to 1B punch their tickets to Sun Willows
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 7th 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 21st (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 29th (21:11) for the Lassies, while freshman Hiebert PR’d to place 45th (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 8th as a team with 259 points just missing the 7th 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 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.
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