Depending upon your point of view the 2011 Washington Cross Country season came to an end or the previous weekend marked the first meet of 2012. After a number of years in Seattle’s Magnuson Park the event moved to the Mill Road Race Course. It also faked us out by being held a bit earlier than anticipated and that is unfortunate, because we truly appreciate the race. The Washington coaches go out of their way to host a quality event and offer a number of scholarships, which are based on both running accomplishment & community service.
Peninsula’s Curtis King topped the field with is 5K time of 16:12. Last year Curtis won the Hole In the Wall Invitational & placed fifth in the 3A State meet. Blake Nelson of Henry Jackson edged Danny Lunder of Kentwood by a second with his second place clocking of 16:25. Travis Downen (16:47) of Lindbergh and Nathan Conrad of Bothell garnered fourth & fifth respectively.
Marren Haneberg of Glacier Peak was the only female runner to break nineteen minute (18:56) and she easily swept to victory by over a half a minute, as Rachel Cundy of Lakewood (19:31) claimed second laurels. The victory had to feel a bit like vindication after running behind her stellar junior team mates Amy-Eloise Neale & Katie Bianchini but it is always a pleasure to see hard work being rewarded. Rachel Cundy, who had placed 15th in last year’s 2A Division, topped Allie Nichols of Redmond, who had placed 20th at last year’s Kingco Conference. Kamiakin’s Stephanie Rexus, who had placed 4th in last fall’s 4A Division took fourth with a time of 20:27. Fifth went to Allison Peterson of Montesano: last year’s SWW District winner as well as the 20th finisher in 1A.