LAKEWOOD Despite the absence of varsity regulars Marissa Schafer and Kaylie Kimmell, the M-P cross country team managed a fourth-place finish at the Hole in the Wall Invite Oct. 6 at Lakewood High School.
The girls were supported by freshmen Kiley Thomason and Veronica Hall, who finished third and fourth for the team in 20:48 and 20:49.
On (Oct. 4) against Lake Stevens they ran really, really well, coach Randy Edens said of his freshmen girls. Kiley weve known about a little bit, but shes been getting healthy from a torn discus back in July. Veronica was out of nowhere, she kind of popped one on Thursday and we were hoping to get the same kind of thing from them (at Lakewood).
The Marysville girls finished behind teams from South Whidbey, Sehome and Woodinville. Senior Haley Nemra and junior Lauren Ainsworth ribboned with their sixth- and 12th-place finishes respectively, while Robin Mueller and Tyler Wigington rounded out the varsity team.
The boys finished sixth overall, running a better average time than fifth-place Bellarmine Prep, but were edged in the team score. Junior Ryan Lanphere earned ribbon recognition as well, finishing 12th in a speedy 16:52.
Sophomore John Crenshaw solidified his standing as the boys number-two runner with a 17:15 time for 29th place. He and Josh Rasmussen had been running close in the first half of the season, but in the last couple of meets, Crenshaw has pulled ahead.
I think thats where John belongs and thats where he should be for us. We need him to be there if were going to improve on where were going to be at the end of the year, Edens said, adding that the teams sixth-place finish affirmed their progress this season.
Wind, drizzle and temperatures in the 50s added up to a chilly race. But all things considered, Edens said, the runners coped.
Our varsity experienced that a little bit at Nike as far as it being cold and windy. All in all its been pretty wet all week. They were still good, all things considered, he said, adding that the meet gave the team a preview of the course theyll run to qualify for districts Oct. 20.
M-P hosts the North County Relays at Cedarcrest Golf Course Oct. 11.