10 Runners to Watch
1. Stephanie Marcy, Sequim: Marcy missed winning the 3A state girls title by two seconds, but is the top returning senior in the state. \"She's amazing,\" North Kitsap coach Lee Hodin said.
2. Kirk Aldridge, Olympic: After spending his junior year in Virginia, Aldridge is back as the Trojans' No. 1 runner on the boys' side. Olympic coach Greg Chapman expects Aldridge's 5K time to approach 16 minutes by season's end.
3. Charlie Williams, Gig Harbor: Williams and junior Miles Unterreiner should be among the top combinations in the state. The senior took 27th at last season's Class 4A state meet, running 16:27.
4. Kesslee Payne, Gig Harbor: The top runner on the state's top 4A team, Payne placed eighth at last year's state meet as a junior. Another state title could be in the making for Payne and the Tides in 2006, especially with Amanda Andrews running at No. 2.
5. Quinton Decker, Port Townsend: Decker turned heads last year as a freshman, placing fifth at the Class 2A state meet in 16:48, just 21 seconds behind champion Tyler Rapp of Lakewood.
6. Sierra Cook, Klahowya: As a sophomore, Cook ran fourth to help the Eagles place fourth at the 2A state meet. Klahowya coach Marty Krafcik said Cook should be able to place in the top five again if she stays free of injury. One of the strongest finishers in the state, Krafcik said \"she gets better as the race goes on.\"
7. Sam Hennessey, Port Angeles: The Roughriders failed to qualify for the 4A state meet last year for the first time in eight seasons. Hennessey and Co. are eager to get back in 2006.
8. Britta Peterson, South Kitsap: Peterson's time of 20:17 ranked her 104th in the state among all classifications. The junior could make a big leap this year.
9. Cascade Herriott, Central Kitsap: If the Cougars are going to make a splash this year in the Narrows League Bay Division, junior Herriott needs to be the one leading the way.
10. Emily Farrar, Bainbridge: The Spartans have some question marks this season, but Farrar isn't one of them. The junior ran 19:56 to place 14th at last season's Sea-King District meet.