Sparked by the championship effort of Marcus Dickson, the White River High boys are headed to the state cross country meet. The entire team will make the trip across the mountains, having qualified on the strength of a third-place team finish at Saturday’s district meet.
The Hornet girls barely missed a state trip as a team, but had two runners earn individual berths.
The district meet, known as the Westside Classic, was contested at American Lake Golf Course in Lakewood. In the Class 2A ranks, the top five teams and top 25 individuals earned a state trip.
The state meet, coming up Saturday at its traditional venue – Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco – brings together runners from all state classifications.
Among them will be the White River boys, who trailed only Linbergh and Interlake at the Westside Classic.
The Hornets were paced by district champion Dickson, who covered the 3.1-mile American Lake course in 16 minutes, 5 seconds. Not far behind was Kody Gould, who placed third with a time of 16:23.
Others competing for the Hornets were Kyle Smith, who placed 25th overall with a time of 17:23; Wes Fueston, 29th, 17:32; Chris Fisher, 42nd, 17:53; Taylor Moser, 48th, 18:10; and Jordan Cook, 52nd, 18:13.
The White River girls will be represented in Pasco by top runner Lauryn Wate and No. 2 Kelly Coyle. Wate earned her state trip by running the district course in 19:11 and placing fifth in the entire field. Coyle was 21st overall with a time of 21:15.
Other competitors for the Hornet girls were Christina Ramous, 39th overall, 22:21; Jenna Guenthner, 59th, 23:15; Kalynn Gulin, 61st, 23:18; Eryn Maris, 68th, 23:51; and Katie Simmons, 73rd, 24:18.
The WRHS girls were sixth in the team standings and only the top five earned a state berth.
For both Dickson and Wate, this will mark a fourth trip to the state meet.
