Poli Baltazar won the Montesano invitational on Thursday. The met, held at Montesano Highs school, was contested was contested at 5K: a distance not as common these days as it should be. Balthazar ran away from his would be challengers and won with a time of 16:14. The Aberdeen harrier held a 37 second margin over Tyson Lovell of Montesano. Frank Book of Aberdeen followed in 17:03 and Christian Hamblin of the home team took fourth in 17:29. Wesley ALLEN OF Elma came in fifth with 17:38. Aberdeen won the team battle 46 to 67 over Montesano.
Gabrielle Rudolph gave the home fans something to cheer with her victory in 19:50. She was the only female runner to break twenty minutes, as Alicia Herrara of Mossyrock finished second in 20:06. Bernadette Hayden of Onalaska earned third with 20:23 and Daphne Peek of Elma claimed fourth (21:07), while Andrea Oswald of Montesano was fifth with 21:35. Elma topped the girls’ competition.