Tomorrow’s Richland meet should be a great one meet with a number of quality teams and an individual field that will probably top every meet this year in the Northwest. Aside from Washington there will be teams from Oregon and Idaho plus British Columbia. With the Camas girls and the North Central guys running, just for starts, gives this meet prominence.
The girls’ individual race will feature Katie Knight, who is the defending 3A champion as well as the record-holder for that event at state. Alexa Efraimson will be a formidable challenge having just returned from California and her second place effort at Stanford. Jordan McPhee, the 4A champion, will also make her presence conspicuously felt. Kamiakin will feature Megan Beauchene, who won at Hanford & Pasco, plus Michelle Fletcher. Richland runners Lauren Perry & Lindsey Bradley should be in the mix along with Emily Hamlin of Boise, who was third at Walters. Also in the mix should be Maggie Coleman of Hermiston and Alissa Pudlitzke of Camas.
Andrew Gardner, already a two-time Foot locker finalist, of Mead just destroyed the course record at Mountain West, while Joe Hardy of Seattle Prep has claimed titles at Firman and at Sundodger. North Central’s Kai Wilmot set a record at Walters and any of that trio is capable of winning on a given day. Not to be overlooked are Austin Oser of Kamiakin and Sumner Goodwin of Lewis & Clark. Oser was victorious at Hanford & Pasco, while Goodwin just placed second at the huge Stanford meet. Hermiston will contribute Jose Macias, the Hermiston Invitational winner, and Alejandro Cisneros, who won at Hood River. Eduardo Juarez is also making progress after physical problems held him back early. Keith Williams of NC plus Nathan Wadhwani from BC, who earned fifth at Danner.
Added the challenge for the various individuals is a solid course, which offers real hills to break up the rhythm of the runners and force them to have additional strength. At this point all that is needed is cooperation from the weatherman. Good luck to everyone.