Local runners compete at state cross country meet

The area's top cross country runners headed for Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco Saturday, joining elite competitors from all classifications for the 2015 state championships.

The area’s top cross country runners headed for Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco Saturday, joining elite competitors from all classifications for the 2015 state championships.

Runners from all four local schools – Enumclaw, Bonney Lake, Sumner and White River – had earned the right to run in Pasco. They had qualified during district competition a week earlier, either individually or as part of a full team effort.

SUMNER

The top local finisher was Emma Sjolund, who placed 12th in the Class 3A field with a time of 18 minutes, 56.6 seconds. She helped the Spartans to a 14th-place finish.

Others running for the Sumner girls team were Petria Russell, 20:34, 83rd; Emma Gronholdt, 20:41, 87th; Bailey Thomsen, 21:26.9, 115th; Abby Marcotte, 21:44.6, 125th; Madison Neubert, 21:50.7, 126th; and Morgan Friesel, 22:18.1, 133rd.

For the Sumner boys, only Joel Mott had qualified for the state meet. He finished with a time of 16:43.5, placing 77th.

BONNEY LAKE

The Panther boys finished 13th in the Class 3A field.

Leading the way was Broke Frame, who polished off the Sun Willows course in 16:01.2, placing 26th. The rest of the Panther squad consisted of William Glick, 16:36.8, 68th; Bennett Hillier, 16:51.7, 90th; Jesus Ochoa, 17:30.5, 123rd; Allen Fletcher, 17:33, 124th; Eric Voellger, 18:13.3, 138th; and Cody Sapp, 18:27.3, 140th.

ENUMCLAW

Enumclaw High’s girls placed 13th in the Class 3A field.

The top finisher for the Hornet girls was Hunter Storm, who toured the course in 19:22.5 to place 25th. Teammates competing at state were Aleea Gwerder, 20:33.8, 82nd; Samantha Engebretsen, 20:40.3, 85th; Emmie Neu, 2112.3, 105th; Payton Roberson, 21:19.7, 111th; Shelby Walker, 21:38.2, 121st; and Bryn Zeman-Witzel, 23:01.6, 137th.

A trio of Enumclaw High boys had qualified for the state meet. Eric Hamel ran the course in 16:30.9 to place 57th and was joined by Teagan Eldridge, 16:39.7, 72nd, and Bryce Johnson, 17:04.9, 102nd.

WHITE RIVER

Both the boys and girls teams had qualified for state, but neither finished high on the leader board. White River’s girls placed 13th in the 16-team field, while the Hornet boys were 16th.

The school’s top finisher was Courtney Gelmini of the girls squad. She finished the Sun Willows course in 20 minutes, 11 seconds, placing 34th. Teammates in the field were Camryn Berryhill, 20:35, 58th place; Madison Moser, 21:29.3, 102nd; Natalie Franco, 22:12.7, 111th; Hannah Swettenam, 22:32.6, 119th; Erin Redford, 24:03.2, 132nd; and Claire Lowe, 24:52.6, 136th.

Among the White River boys, the first runner across the line was Liam Johnston, who closed a time of 17:23.7 and finished 88th. Joining him were Konnor Sokalski, 17:30.6, 94th; Jadon Flanders, 17:54.6, 118th; William Pitsch, 18:08, 122nd; Matthew McKinley, 18:33.8, 128th; AJ Aspelund, 18:49.2, 132nd; and Stephen Woods, 18:51.1, 133rd.