By Kevin Johnson
Herald Writer
LANGLEY - Cross country running has long been a tradition at Lakewood High School. Every year they turn out a team and every year that team ends its season by competing in the state championships.
And even though this has been perhaps the most emotional season for the Cougars, it still didn\'t distract them from keeping with tradition.
The Cougars finished fourth in the 2A District 1 championships, qualifying for next week\'s 2A state-meet at Pasco. Lakewood has advanced to the state championships every year since 1984.
\"It\'s a real good feeling having both teams on the bus next week,\" Lakewood coach Jeff Sowards said, referring to both the boys and girls state-qualifying teams.
Lakewood has had an emotional season, dealing with the loss of senior captain Scott Skiles, who passed away in an auto accident before the season had begun.
\"I don\'t think there was any extra emotion for them today. It\'s more in their hearts now and it always will be,\" Sowards said.
\"It\'s a part of our shared experience. I\'m real proud of them and how well they have handled it,\" Sowards added.
The Cougars advanced to state thanks in part to freshman Taylor Guske\'s personal-best record time of 16 minutes, 58 seconds and senior James Ervin\'s time of 17:03. Guske placed 12th and Ervin 13th, a week after Ervin and Guske went 2-3 in the Cascade Conference meet.
\"I felt pretty good. The last race I ran a little too fast at the beginning and I tried to pace myself more this time, and I PR\'d (personal record) by 20 seconds,\" Guske said.
Ervin meanwhile was running on an empty stomach after mistaking the time the bus left.
\"I thought I ran good for the circumstances. I thought the bus left at 9:30 a.m., but it left at 8:30 a.m.\" Ervin said.
The Cougars finished with 91 points, one behind third-place Bellingham.
South Whidbey runner Jason Fitz finished 20th, earning the final state-qualifying spot. Running on his own turf, the senior qualified for state for the first time since his freshman season.
\"We have a lot of advantages, like we don\'t have to get up as early,\" Fitz said.
Fitz and Lakewood sophomore Nick Devier jostled for the final position down the stretch before Fitz was able to pick up his speed a bit and sprint into the finish line.
\"It was so close. I kept looking back, which is something I usually don\'t do. I had to know what position I was in,\" Fitz said.
There was no looking back after Saturday. Fitz was going to state, as were the Lakewood Cougars.